City man fined for spitting on police officer

CROWN WAS SEEKING 30 DAYS IN JAIL FOR OFFENCE

The Crown prosecutor in an assault case had hoped Travis Chase Peta would get a short jail sentence for spitting on a police officer during an arrest in September.

The judge felt differently, however, and fined Peta, who pleaded guilty Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court to single counts of assaulting a peace officer and drug possession.

Peta was at a fast-food restaurant on Mayor Magrath Drive South about 6 p.m. Sept. 23. While that normally shouldn’t cause any concern, Peta was shirtless and highly intoxicated at the time, and wanted by police on a warrant. When police arrived, handcuffed the 20-year-old man and led him to the police vehicle, he spit in the officer’s face.

Back in the day that wouldn’t be too alarming, either, but that’s not the case these days given the prevalence of so many deadly diseases.

Although the officer didn’t suffer any ill-effects, Crown prosecutor Jeremy DeBow argued the spit was not only disgusting, but had the potential to harm the officer. And it occurred while Peta was being arrested.

Lawyer Brett Carlson argued Peta’s actions were out of character, and when he drank while taking a certain medication he became violent.

“He is very regretful in relation to his behaviour,” Carlson said.

Judge Jerry LeGrandeur acknowledged the attack against the officer, and said spitting on anyone is “extremely offensive, and certainly an incursion into their personal and emotional dignity.” But it’s not enough to warrant a jail sentence, particularly since Peta does not have significant criminal convictions and is currently working.

“I’m not anywhere near 30 days,” LeGrandeur said.

He fined Peta $520, including a $120 victim fine surcharge, and placed him on probation for eight months, during which he must take counselling for substance abuse and anything else his probation officer may deem necessary, including anger management. LeGrandeur also fined him $130 for possessing one and a half grams of marijuana, which officers found on him during the arrest.

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