A 52-year-old West Australian man has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for spitting in an AFP officer’s face and mouth outside Perth Airport.
The man was also sentenced in the Perth Magistrates Court to four months’ imprisonment, which will be served concurrently, for throwing urine-soaked shorts at a Western Australia Police Force (WAPF) custody officer.
He pleaded guilty to both offences.
The AFP initially arrested the man at Perth Airport on 9 March after responding to reports of two men arguing outside the terminal.
“When AFP officers requested the 52-year-old provide personal details and information about the incident, he did not comply and instead walked away,” the AFP said in a statement.
“AFP officers stopped the man and after he continued to be obstructive, they restrained him. While the man was in police custody at the front of the Airport he spat in the face of an AFP officer.
“The man was charged with one count of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, contrary to section 147.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
While the man was in custody at the WAPF watchhouse he threw urine-soaked shorts at a custody officer. He was charged with assaulting a public officer.
AFP acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said police officers performing their duties should not be subjected to any kind of assault.
“Police work every day to protect the community, and don’t deserve to have their health put at risk,” a/Supt Brindal said.
“This type of offending impacts members and their families and will not be tolerated by the AFP.”
