A man has been jailed after "spitting" on a sheriff officer in Yass.
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Michael John James Bates, 20, of Yass, appeared before Goulburn local court on March 10.
Bates faced charges of assaulting a law officer (not a police officer), prohibition/restriction of an AVO, resisting an officer and stalk/ intimidate intend fear physical harm. The accused pleaded guilty to all counts.
The charges related to an incident at Yass Local Court on November 27, 2020 where Bates was present for another matter.
Magistrate Geraldine Beattie said Bates was described as "highly emotionally charged and belligerent" in police facts tendered to the court.
Magistrate Beattie said Bates "slammed" the door when he left the Yass courtroom.
As police escorted Bates outside, he tried to break free and run toward witnesses," she said.
Magistrate Beattie said the accused resisted police with force before officers "wrestled" him to the ground.
Bates then spat in a sheriff officer's mouth before he was taken into custody.
Representing Bates, Solicitor Tim McGrath said the incident was "disgraceful".
Mr McGrath said Bates showed "good insight into his conduct" and was currently "drug and alcohol free."
"He self medicates with drugs and drinks," Mr Mcgrath said.
"He is now medicated for anxiety and takes mood stabilisers.
"He aims to remain free of substances and is keen to connect with Community Health Services."
Police prosecutor Alison Grinter said "no one was safe" at the time of the incident.
Magistrate Beattie said that Bates had "a lot of thinking to do."
"The victim was only there doing their job and shouldn't expect to be assaulted," Magistrate Beattie said.
"[It had] huge impact and [resulted in] concerns in relation to health."
Magistrate Beattie took Bates' early guilty plea into account and applied a 25 per cent discount on his sentence.
Bates was sentenced to two years in custody, with a non-parole period of one year.
The sentence was backdated to February 27, 2021.
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