Drug man drove at cop

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019 themercury.com.au SUBSCRIPTIONS 1300 696 397

A MAN who drove his motorcycle into a police officer has pleaded guilty to assaulting the officer, and a raft of other charges.

Huon William Gendall, 27, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Hobart yesterday to drug trafficking between October 27 last year and July 1, and assaulting a police officer on July 1.

Gendall also pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of speeding, displaying false number

LORETTA LO LOHBERGER LO plates, evading police, possessing a glass smoking pipe, possessing a laser pointer in a public place, unlawfully possessing a dangerous article in a public place, possessing a taser and possessing ammunition.

Crown prosecutor Anna Norton said the officer, who was also on a motorcycle, saw Gendall speeding on the Brooker Highway about 1.20pm on July 1 and noticed there were false number plates on his motorcycle and tried to intercept him.

Ms Norton said while the officer was standing in front of Gendall’s motorcycle, Gendall moved the bike backwards, revved the engine and drove at the officer.

She said the constable held the front of Gendall’s bike for about 10 metres before it crashed and both men fell to the ground.

“The accused ran from the scene,” she said.

Ms Norton said the constable caught up and arrested him.

She said police found quantities of the drug ice in Gendall’s jacket, and later found three mobile phones, a laser pointer, a Leatherman and a pocket knife.

“The accused has never held a motorcycle licence and his driver licence had expired in October 2018,” Ms Norton said.

She said about two months earlier, police searched a South Hobart home where Gendall was living, as well as a van, and found quantities of ice, opioid tablets and 10 ice pipes.

Gendall was also charged with trafficking in ecstasy and cannabis.

Ms Norton said

Gendall had prior convictions for less serious drug-related offences and the latest crimes were committed in breach of a suspended sentence.

Justice Robert Pearce ordered Gendall be assessed for a drug treatment order, but he also said he had not yet decided if such an order — in lieu of prison — was appropriate.

He remanded Gendall in custody and adjourned the sentencing hearing until December 6.