Jesse Cooper Williams convicted for spitting in Mac’s Hotel security guard’s mouth

A young church-goer has been given the dressing-down of a lifetime in court after he spat in the mouth of a Mount Gambier hotel security guard.

A young church-goer has received a dressing down from a magistrate after he spat in the mouth of a Mount Gambier hotel security guard.

Jesse Cooper Williams, 20, was already on a good behaviour bond for driving dangerously to escape police pursuit when he was charged with committing a prohibited act with human biological material.

He had already pleaded guilty to the January 17 offence when he appeared at the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Thursday.

“I’m very disappointed to see you in my court again,” Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis told the accused.

Jesse Cooper Williams has been convicted for spitting in Mac’s Hotel security guard’s mouth. Picture: Jessica Ball

Williams, who was barred from Mac’s Hotel, was asked to leave the area with security wrongly believing he could not be within 50m of the venue.

The police prosecutor told the court he was “argumentative” and “verbally abusive” before spitting at his victim’s mouth, cheek, chest and shirt and was detained until his arrest just after midnight.

“The victim stated he used minimal force to remove the accused from the Mac’s Hotel premises,” she said.

“A large amount of the defendant’s spit or saliva went into his mouth.

“He felt disgusted and violated and the act was completely disrespected and he had concerns about contracting a disease.”

A witness, another barred patron who asked to leave the line, told police the victim used “excessive force” removing Williams.

Defence lawyer Jarrad Sim said he would not “victim-blame” but the incident would not have occurred if there had not been a misunderstanding regarding a non-existent 50m rule.

Mac's Hotel in Mount Gambier where Jesse Cooper Williams spat at a security guard. Picture: Jessica Ball

“He had no intention of trying to enter Mac’s Hotel, he at all times remained on the footpath, he was not in a line, he was not causing any trouble,” Mr Sim said.

“He became frustrated, angry, and ultimately scared when the security staff decided to grab hold of his shoulders, dragging backwards and force him to the ground by tripping him.

“He has reacted poorly, and in that moment has spat.”

The accused was also injured in the incident, experiencing headaches for weeks requiring a GP visit.

Mr Sim said Williams was struggling with binge drinking at the time of both offences but was now regularly attending church with his family in Nhill.

He argued the OneFortyOne employee and former removalist be dealt with without conviction so he would not be restricted from working on government property.

Magistrate Panagiotidis said she had purposely put Williams on a long bond as a punishment for his first offence.

“This man was given the benefit of doubt,” she said.

“Here we are a year later and he’s spitting at security officers.

“I was told that a young man of good character had never been in trouble before, suddenly panicked and went off the rails.”

Magistrate Panagiotidis recorded a conviction.

“You can’t really say 12 months have passed and there have been no incidents, he was barred for a reason, maybe he shouldn’t be going onto government premises,” she said.

“A person who goes to the pub and doesn’t get into trouble and doesn’t cause any trouble does get a barring order.

“I’ve been to a few pubs myself and no ones ever barred me.”

Williams was sentenced to a 12 month good behaviour bond in the amount of $2000 with Magistrate Panagiotidis ordering him to pay $500 for the breached bond breach and $931 in costs.