Coast cop ‘deserved bashing’

A TEENAGER celebrating his 18th birthday punched a cop in Surfers Paradise because “he deserved it”, a court was told.

William Albert Eaves, 18, walked from Southport Magistrates Court yesterday with a 200-hour community service order for the attack, which occurred the morning after Australia Day.

The police officer was left with soft tissue damage to his face and bruises on his arm.

Eaves, also known as William White, pleaded guilty to one count of serious assault of a police officer and three counts of obstructing police.

Magistrate Pamela Dowse said: “It’s really bad behaviour.

“You have a very bad attitude if you think you can whack someone because you think they ‘deserve it’.”

Ms Dowse also ordered Eaves pay the officer $500 in compensation.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Nicola Wood said police were patrolling Surfers Paradise Safe Night Precinct about 4.30am on January 27 when an officer saw Eaves push someone.

The officer asked for Eaves’ name and address but when he declined, the officer informed Eaves he was under arrest.

“He replied, ‘I’m under arrest am I?’” Sen Const Wood said.

The court was told it was then Eaves attacked, punching the officer in the face and arm.

Sen Const Wood said other officers intervened, taking Eaves to the watchhouse.

“When asked why he punched police he said ‘he deserved it’,” she said.

Eaves’ solicitor Joe Wicking, of Howden Saggers Lawyers, said Eaves had been celebrating his 18th birthday with friends. He said they had drunk a large amount of alcohol.

Mr Wicking said Eaves was completing Year 12 through a vocational school and worked part-time at Taco Bell.