
A young West Wodonga man who assaulted two women police officers in an early-morning street incident has no memory of what occurred.
He was deeply ashamed of what he did, Albury Local Court has heard.
Magistrate Richard Funston said the fact that Mitchell Reid had apologised in person to the officers was "impressive".
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Reid was incoherent during the incident in Dean Street, Albury, on November 29, soon after midnight.
He had repeatedly refused to move on as directed by police, becoming increasingly argumentative with the officers, as well as agitated and aggressive.
It was then he pushed both officers in the chest, though defence lawyer Mark Cronin said the assaults involved "very little force".
"The pushes to the police in Dean Street were very much at the lower end of the scale," Mr Cronin said.
"Anyone who knows him would say his behaviour is absolutely foreign to him.
"He demonstrates the highest level of remorse. He just can't believe he behaved in this fashion."
Reid, 24, earlier pleaded guilty before registrar Wendy Howard to two charges of assault police and one of excluded person fail to leave premises when required, along with possess a prohibited drug.
The possession charge related to 0.12 gram of ephedrine Reid was carrying.
It was quite possible, the court heard, that Reid had used some of the drug.
The court was told the officers were patrolling Dean Street about 12.15am when a staff member from Zed Bar waved them down.
Reid had been refused entry because of his "level of intoxication" but would not move on as directed.
They had a short conversation with Reid, who was "not making any sense".
Mr Funston said any type of lashing out at police "has to be considered very seriously by the courts".
"The police are not punching bags, they're doing their jobs."
But Mr Funston said Reid's degree of remorse and good character meant the court was able to deal with him without conviction.
Reid was placed on a 12-month conditional release order.