Spitting at police not acceptable, offender is warned

Judge Lyn Harrison made it crystal clear to a woman who spat at a police officer that her behaviour was not acceptable under any circumstances.

Andrea Southey appeared in the New Plymouth District Court yesterday, where she admitted disorderly behaviour and common assault.

The police summary of facts states that on November 5, 2020, Southey was at the Salvation Army in New Plymouth with her two pitbull dogs. Southey was shouting and yelling threats at animal control officers who were attempting to uplift the dogs.

Police arrested her for disorderly behaviour and put her in a patrol car before taking her back to the station. As a constable learnt in to release Southey’s seatbelt, she spat on the officer’s arm and then kicked open the car door with enough force that it struck the officer.

Defence lawyer Mark Townshend sought a sentence of supervision for the assault and a fine for the disorderly behaviour.

He said Southey had been in a highly emotional state and was trying to clear her throat when she spat at the officer.

Townshend said Southey was supported in court by her church pastor.

Harrison made it clear a sentence of supervision was not going to come anywhere near addressing Southey’s offending.

She said spitting at a police officer was not acceptable under any circumstances because of the high health risk. ‘‘It is absolutely one of the worst things you can do to our police.’’

Harrison ordered a presentence report and remanded Southey on bail to reappear on March 11 for sentencing.

She said electronically monitored sentences including community detention would be considered.