A man who drunkenly assaulted two police officers wants to change, a court has heard.
"It’s obviously apparent alcohol is a massive issue for you and when you’re drinking you can get aggressive and argumentative," Judge Dominic Dravitzki said.
Mabus was first charged in relation to an incident two years ago on June 27, 2020.
He was driving south along State Highway 1 when he tried to turn into Cross St but took the turn too fast.
He lost control of his vehicle, which slid 60m between the Waitaki Village Community Hall and a power pole before crashing into a pine hedge.
"You said you were lucky you got between the lamppost and the village hall without hitting either," Judge Dravitzki said.
Police arrested Mabus at his home about 45 minutes later.
However, as two constables were walking him to the patrol car they stopped to double-lock his handcuffs.
Mabus turned to one of the two constables standing close by and spat at him, covering the constable’s face in blood and spittle.
A breath-alcohol test was performed later that showed a reading of 1107mcg — four times the legal limit.
The second incident the defendant was charged in relation to was on July 17 last year.
Police went to assist the fire service at a small fire inside a house in Eden St, but as they tried to speak to the occupant of the house, Mabus began confronting them.
He was warned after grabbing a female officer’s arm, but subsequently confronted the male officer and attempted to push his face with his hand several times.
He was successful in that as the male officer was restraining him.
"They did not need to be subjected to that behaviour as they go about their daily work," Judge Dravitzki said.
The victim impact statement of the officer spat at said that act was something "really concerning to the police in the current Covid environment".
On the two charges of assaulting police, one of drink-driving, one of driving contrary to a zero-alcohol licence and one of careless driving, Mabus was sentenced to six months’ home detention.
He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.
