A United States tourist who ‘‘had a shocker'' and ultimately spat blood, vomit and phlegm at police officers in Queenstown last month had taken prescription painkillers combined with alcohol, the Queenstown District Court heard yesterday.
Judge Bernadette Farnan sentenced Karl Paul Yeary-Johnson (29) to 150 hours' community work and ordered him to pay $500 to Alcoholics Anonymous after he admitted six charges stemming from a series of incidents on March 29 and 30.
They were disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence, in Shotover St on March 29; and resisting Constables Daniel Andrew and Mark Ford, possession of the class C-controlled drug cannabis and assaulting Const Andrew, Const Ford and Constable Amanda Shute, all on March 30.
A further charge of possession of a knife was withdrawn by police.
Prosecutor Sergeant Ian Collin said Yeary-Johnson was in Shotover St at 11.50pm on March 29 and was described as ‘‘moderately intoxicated''.
He came to police attention after he was seen by a passing patrol ‘‘bashing'' an illuminated sign, ‘‘jumping up and down and screaming at the top of his lungs''.
When spoken to by police, he said he was ‘‘fixing the sign''.
Police arrested him and took him to the Queenstown Police Station, where he became argumentative and was passively resisting while police were attempting to move him to the processing area.
Sgt Collin said Yeary-Johnson continued arguing, refused to be searched and became abusive.
While he was being searched he began actively resisting police, pushing away and swinging at a constable.
He was taken to the ground where he continued being violent - spitting, kicking and swinging.
During the search, 3.5g of cannabis plant was found in one canister with another 0.5g found in a mint canister. A crystal-like substance was also found on him, as well as the knife.
Police repeatedly asked Yeary-Johnson to calm down and comply, but he refused and continued to scream and threaten the officers.
He began spitting vomit at the officers and lashed out at Const Ford, striking him in the mouth and face and digging his nails into the officer's arm.
Sgt Collin said he spat blood, vomit and phlegm over Const Andrews and a spit hood was placed on him.
Duty solicitor Liam Collins handed a letter to Judge Farnan from the tourist, who was due to leave Queenstown next month.‘‘He's had a shocker,'' Mr Collins said.
Yeary-Johnson, who was remorseful, had taken prescription painkillers for historical injuries and had also been drinking that night.
Judge Farnan said that night he had consumed wine, beer and spirits as well as the medication. She said Yeary-Johnson had displayed ‘‘appalling behaviour''.
On the disorderly behaviour charge he was convicted and ordered to pay his fine to the AA, while on the possession of cannabis and resisting police charges he was convicted and discharged.
On the three charges of assaulting police he was sentenced to the community work, with authorisation for the hours to be converted to training, to be served concurrently.
