A Northam man has been handed a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to throwing glass bottles at a police officer.
Lester Steward Bennell pleaded guilty to assaulting a public officer when he appeared in Northam Magistrates Court on Monday, November 19.
On Friday, August 13, officers were called to a disturbance at Gairdner Street in Northam just after 10am where Bennell acted aggressive towards them, the court heard.
Bennell threw two bottles in the general direction of the officers and a third directly at a female officer, who ducked out of the way.
Prosecuting sergeant Phil Milne said the glass would have struck the officer if she did not take action.
Bennell’s lawyer Sylvia Crombie told the court her client was intoxicated at the time and had drunk almost a carton of beer throughout the day.
Magistrate Jennifer Hawkins said the 27-year-old had spent his adult life in and out of prison.
“Throwing bottles at police is as serious as it gets,” she said.
“Thankfully, you had an officer who was aware of her surroundings.
“I am not sending you to jail today but you know full well the consequences.
“The only thing saving you is that the bottle didn’t hit the officer.”
Bennell was sentenced to seven months in jail, which was suspended for 10-months.