Labourer slammed for ‘nuisance’ behaviour

A MAGISTRATE fed up with Gold Coast police being assaulted and obstructed at work has taken an “absolute nuisance” labourer to task for snatching an officer’s hat off his head.

Magistrate Michelle Dooley reprimanded Pimpama’s Adam Dale McDonald for his actions while intoxicated about 10pm on August 17 this year at Surfers Paradise Esplanade.

Police were informed about a “disturbance occurring between the defendant’s friends and a group of tourists who were enjoying a barbecue”, Police prosecutor Senior Constable Daniel McShane told the court.

Officers arrived at Cavill Ave and arrested a member of McDonald’s group.

McDonald came “within about a metre of the arrest” and was warned to move along.

“A set of keys belonging to the police vehicle fell on the ground during the struggle with the other male. The defendant has lunged forward in an apparent attempt to gain possession of the keys. However, police have snatched them off the ground first,” Senior Const. McShane said.

When a senior constable knelt down “attempting to get control of the other male”, McDonald “grabbed the officer’s hat, yanking it off his head whilst he was performing his duties”.

Officers leapt on McDonald, tackled him and hauled him off to the watch-house.

Ms Dooley said she “quite regularly” deals with such cases and McDonald was an “absolute nuisance”.

“This type of behaviour, it leads to lawlessness and it makes it very difficult for police operations to occur,” she said.

It is difficult enough to keep law and order on the streets without that sort of behaviour by you.”

Legal Aid defence lawyer Sarah Jowitt told the court McDonald was a casual labourer who “needs to take responsibility for his alcohol consumption”.

Ms Jowitt said McDonald had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety two years ago.

McDonald must be of good behaviour for 12 months, or forfeit $400. He narrowly avoided a recorded conviction.