Warren Alan Sams pleaded guilty to obstructing, assaulting police
When neighbours called the police on a ‘loud and obnoxious’ visitor next door things got ugly, especially when police tried to arrest him.
Police & Courts
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Obstructing police and assaulting an officer who was trying to arrest him has landed a truck driver in court and on probation for the next 15 months.
Warren Alan Sams pleaded guilty to public nuisance, obstructing police and assaulting police when he appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Police prosecutor Sonya Edwards said the incident happened on December 1, 2023, when Sams went to his father’s Maryborough home about 11pm.
He was intoxicated and police were called by the neighbours in relation to Sams being “loud and obnoxious”, Sgt Edwards said, and was making general threats towards the neighbours.
Sgt Edwards said at the time the neighbours were grieving as they had lost a family member and they were upset by Sams’ behaviour.
Police attended and spoke with Sams’ father, and Sams continued to swear and yell loudly while police were there.
He then asked if the “c---s next door called police?”.
Sams then walked inside and his father locked the screen door to keep him inside, but he continued his “abuse and swearing” at the neighbours.
He was warned if he didn’t stop he would be arrested and Sams “basically said f--k you, f--k the neighbours”.
His father unlocked the door so police could enter and arrest Sams.
Sams was placed under arrest but obstructed police trying to handcuff him, “waving his arms in front of him and not complying”, Sgt Edwards said.
He was resisting when a female officer grabbed his wrist and placed a handcuff on him, the court heard.
Sams then grabbed her hand and twisted it, raising her hand up and causing her to have to twist her body while still holding the cuff.
He then gripped her hand again, with the officer left with a “burning sensation” in her wrist area and arm, Sgt Edwards said.
No permanent injuries were sustained, there was just pain at the time, she said.
Sams was taken to the watch-house where he was released on bail.
Sgt Edwards said Sams seemed to have an ongoing issue when police attended matters and arrested him.
Duty lawyer Morgan Harris said Sams had steady work as a truck driver.
He was awaiting an appointment with a psychologist and had undiagnosed depression and anxiety.
Magistrate John Milburn said Sams seemed to have an issue with authority and had previous convictions for obstructing police.
He was placed on 15 months probation and a conviction was recorded.
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