AN East Albury man who claimed in court last week that he was a gentleman and had been “shafted” by police has been jailed for two years.
Martin Nicholas Russell, 35, received a minimum jail term of 18 months after pleading guilty in Albury Local Court to a series of charges, including the intimidation of a woman police officer.
The court heard during a bail application last week that Russell told the officer he knew the make of vehicle she drove and which gymnasium she attends.
“It’s like I am a bad person. I am a gentleman,” Russell claimed when applying for bail as three Corrective Services officers kept watch.
“I have been shafted, your honour.”
The aggregate 24-month jail term was imposed by magistrate Megan Greenwood.
Russell pleaded guilty to charges of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, failing to appear at court, three counts of contravening an apprehended violence order, intimidating police, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and resisting arrest.
The assault charge related to Russell punching another man in the face, causing a cut lip.
Russell was originally charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident with another man in East Albury last October.
But it was upgraded to grievous bodily harm after the extent of the victim’s injury became apparent.
Russell punched the victim in the left eye, causing a fracture to the bone beneath his eye.
He was convicted of the assault at court on February 19 and a warrant was issued for him.
Russell breached an apprehended violence order by contacting the mother of his former de facto partner.
Police saw Russell walking along Breen Street at Lavington on February 28.
Russell made his escape through the Centro Lavington car park.
Security in the shopping centre told police a man was seen running through the food court and into the toilet under the management office.
After a short search, Russell was found in the men’s toilet.
It was back at the station that he told a woman officer the make of her car, which gym she attended and said: “I will be watching you.”
Russell was yelling abuse and banging and punching the perspex cell door.
An apprehended violence order was taken out on behalf of the officer.