A MAGISTRATE has issued a stern warning to Albury man Matthew Settle, described as having a bad attitude towards police and security staff when intoxicated.
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Settle was told by magistrate Margaret Quinn in Albury Local Court: “You are going down that track where you will finish in prison.”
He appeared for sentencing on charges stemming from a confrontation with security staff and police in Albury’s main street in November.
Settle, 26, of Captain Cook Drive, had pleaded guilty to offences of offensive behaviour, resisting arrest, refusing a direction to move on and malicious damage.
At the time of the incident Settle was already on bonds for offences of assaulting police and resisting arrest.
The case had been adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Ms Quinn took no action on the bond breaches and imposed new 18-month bonds with supervision.
Settle received 100 hours community service for resisting arrest, was fined $300 on the offensive manner charge, $300 on destroying property along with a 12-month bond being imposed.
There was no penalty on the charge of refusing to comply with a move-on direction.
Settle drew attention to himself by urinating in Dean Street, Albury, about 3am on November 9 in full view of passers-by and abusing them as they walked past.
Security staff informed police, who attended almost immediately and Settle became aggressive and threatening.
Settle was sitting on a bench with several security staff around him when police attended.
Officers had a conversation with the security personnel about Settle’s behaviour.
He began yelling and threatened to “smash” a security officer.
Settle was told several times to leave, but refused and police took hold of him to usher him away.
“Push me once more and I’ll hit ya, I’ll hit ya,” he said when putting his hands up and taking an aggressive stance.
When he continued to swear and abuse police, he was arrested.
He struggled with police as they escorted him to the police station and had to be handcuffed.
At the station he continued his abuse and when put in a holding cell began to rip apart a mattress.
He could not be interviewed due to his intoxication.