Nathan James Kennedy pleads guilty to assault in Bundaberg court

A court has heard how a man with a history of attacks on cops pushed a woman in her own home before leaving with $70.

Nathan James Kennedy has faced court for assaults on a woman and police.

A Bundaberg dad of two with a history of attacking police has faced court for shoving a woman in her own home and smashing the car windscreen of another.

Nathan James Kennedy, 26, appeared in Bundaberg Magistrates Court by videolink from the Maryborough Correctional Centre on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to assault and stealing offences.

Kennedy, who has a four-page criminal history, was charged with two counts of assaulting police by pushing them on March 19, 2022, after he woke up to see officers in his home.

They were there to see his housemate.

On July 9, 2022, Kennedy entered a couple’s Bundaberg unit, grabbing a woman and shoving her in the stomach before dragging her down a hallway by her arm, threatening to injure her unless she handed over money.

He found $70 in a drawer and left with the cash.

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It was heard that Kennedy had also taken a chair, throwing into the windscreen of a woman’s car.

Among his offences were two counts of stealing after previous conviction, where Kennedy stole a bottle of Wild Turkey at First Choice Liquor by shoving it down his pants, and another two bottles of alcohol the same way at Dan Murphy’s.

The court heard Kennedy had failed to appear in court and a warrant had to be issued for his arrest.

He would eventually be found in the Across the Waves sports club’s pokies lounge, where a struggle ensued when police caught up with him.

Following the struggle, police found marijuana hidden in his bum bag.

Kennedy’s lawyer, Gavin James, told the court his client had his windscreen broken and suspected some of his victims may have been behind it.

It was heard Kennedy had studied a Certificate II in Hospitality while in custody and had been working in the prison kitchen.

The court heard the defendant had previously gone before the courts for attacks on police, including one case of serious assault.

Kennedy pleaded guilty to one count each of assault with intent to steal, burglary and committing an indictable offence, stealing, wilful damage, obstructing police and possessing dangerous drugs.

He pleaded guilty to two counts each of failing to appear, assaulting police and stealing after previous conviction.

Kennedy also pleaded guilty to six counts of breaching bail.

Magistrate John McInnes sentenced Kennedy to nine months’ prison for his offences.

His parole release date was set as March 27.