An Albury magistrate has slammed a man for his mocking remark that police were more interested in cracking down on mask wearing than dealing with serious crime.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
David Read was told on Monday this was offensive and that he should be far more "respectful".
Read tried to claim in Albury Local Court that he didn't mean such an insinuation, but magistrate Richard Funston said it was clear this was his intent.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Read fronted court over an incident where he made an emergency triple zero call with a report he was holding a man hostage in his Lavington backyard "and was about to assault him".
The call, on August 21 at 2.35pm, followed a series of calls made by Read to Albury police that day.
In each of the calls he became aggressive and abusive when police told him he would have to wait patiently for them to attend his address over his report of being the target of vandalism attacks.
After the triple zero call, three police cars rushed to the scene and, in so doing they said, risked "their own safety and public safety".
As soon as police arrived, Read made full admissions to having made the nuisance call.
"I made it up," he told them, "because last time it took yous (sic) three days (to attend)."
Read, 35, pleaded guilty to a single charge of making a vexatious call to an emergency service number.
"What's this about?" Mr Funston asked.
"It's a very serious matter and it took up a lot of police resources."
Read claimed he had been subject to $20,000 in vandalism attacks over the past eight months, including having $500 tyres slashed "nearly every week".
He said he had made "numerous" reports to police.
"The police told me they had more important things to worry about, like making sure people are wearing masks."
Read claimed he didn't know he had committed an offence, which Mr Funston dismissed as "rubbish".
"I'll tell you what, if you ever come back before me with a charge like this you will really get the book thrown at you."
Read was fined $1000.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @bordermail
- Follow us on Instagram @bordermail
- Follow us on Google News
