‘Can’t remember nothing’

Man ends up in the cells after mixing his drinks

A GATTON man has no recollection of threatening to spit on police and smash police printing equipment.

Carlos Eduardo Caceres was put into a cell at the Gatton Police Station to prevent him damaging police property or assaulting officers but he continued to scream abuse.

“I drink a little too much,” Caceres, 53, told Gatton Magistrates Court.

“I mixed my drinks that night with other alcohol – I had a couple of shots.

“I’m very sorry, I don’t know what happened, I can’t remember nothing.”

Police received three calls about Caceres’s behaviour on August 9 when he was in a van at a Gatton property.

When police arrived at 9.30pm, they detected he was heavily affected by alcohol, police prosecutor Senior Constable Narelle Lowe told the court.

“The defendant removed a clip-seal bag from his pocket and threw it onto the grass next to the driveway,” Senior Constable Lowe said.

The bag contained 11g of marijuana.

Caceres was taken to the Gatton Police Station, where he became abusive and threatening towards police.

“The defendant was seen to slam his hands down on the bench a number of times in a threatening way,” Senior Constable Lowe said.

Despite being locked in a cell, Caceres continued his abusive behaviour and threatened to spit on police.

He was taken to the Toowoomba watch-house until August 10, and when he was sober enough, answered police questions.

He pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing a police officer and one count of possession of a dangerous drug.

“I had too many drinks … I have never before abused police, I don’t remember what happened,” Caceres said.

“I’ve been trying to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

“I have a job, work every day. I lost two weeks’ wages just from doing that.”

Magistrate Robert Tuura told Caceres he was lucky he didn’t end up in jail.

“The most serious crime is obstructing police – they had a job to do that night,” Mr Tuura said.

“You’re so lucky you’re not in bigger trouble.

“If you spat on police it starts with a jail sentence.”

Caceres was fined $400 for the possession of dangerous drug, and $600 for obstructing police, both referred to SPER.

No convictions were recorded.