Man spat blood over policeman

A man who spat blood on to a police officer’s uniform and was ordered to pay $8 reparation for its drycleaning has had the fee waived.

However, Afa Faatasi was sentenced to six months’ supervision and 50 hours’ community service in Porirua District Court last Tuesday, after he pleaded guilty to one charge of resisting police and another of assaulting police.

Police prosecutor Lisa Thomson said in court that Faatasi, 24, of Waitangirua, resisted arrest after police chased him down the driveway of a Cannons Creek property, where fighting had broken out at a family event on September 13.

She said Faatasi was extremely intoxicated and was put into the back seat of a police car next to Porirua police officer Sam Swainson.

When Faatasi began spitting blood at the car window and the back of the front seat, Swainson asked him to stop. Faatasi then spat at him. By way of explanation, Faatasi had said he hated all police and was exempt from arrest because of a back injury, Thomson said.

Swainson’s victim impact statement said he had been put at extreme risk by being spat at, judge Bill Hastings said.

Though he had not sustained any injuries, Swainson felt being spat at was disgusting.

‘‘To be honest, I have to admit that I agree,’’ the judge said.

After an alcohol and drug assessment following his arrest, Faatasi was found to have a moderate to high alcohol dependence.

His lawyer, Jewelly McVay, said Faatasi was willing to address the issue.