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Harley Harris sentenced for headbutting police officer in cafe incident

The reasons why a man headbutted a police officer in the face and smashed a car windscreen during a cafe meltdown have been revealed as he looks to make a fresh start.

Harley Jay Harris faced Gladstone Magistrates Court after headbutting a police officer.
Harley Jay Harris faced Gladstone Magistrates Court after headbutting a police officer.

A man who headbutted a police officer during a cafe meltdown in Brisbane has moved to Central Queensland for a “fresh start”.

Harley Jay Harris, 26, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to assaulting a police officer causing bodily harm, obstructing police, public nuisance and wilful damage.

The court heard Harris’s offending happened at Brisbane on the night of July 14.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said Harris abused staff and customers at a cafe and threw something at a car windscreen, causing it to crack.

“When police tried to talk with him (at the scene), he began to swear and yell loudly and aggressively,” Sgt Hoskins said.

“He started to approach one of the officers in a threatening manner and then another police officer arrested (him) for a public nuisance offence.”

Sgt Hoskins said while being arrested, Harris obstructed police and he then headbutted one of the officers to the face.

The prosecutor said while Harris was taken to the watchhouse, he screamed and banged his head against a police pod and he was put in a padded cell.

The court heard the police officer Harris assaulted suffered pain and discomfort but did not need to go to hospital.

Harris had no criminal history.

Gladstone Courthouse.
Gladstone Courthouse.

Solicitor Stephen White said Harris, who had previously worked in environmental management, was very remorseful for what he did and embarrassed to be in court.

Mr White said Harris had experienced unstable housing “for most of his life” and recently moved to Gladstone “to make a fresh start.”

“The circumstances of the offending revolved around quite severe mental health issues and anxiety issues - certainly no substance or alcohol abuse was in play,” Mr White said.

“The day of the offending there was a relationship breakdown with his mother... and also a confrontation with a close friend which left (him) very alienated in his mind.

“He was also evicted from (his) NDIS-supported independent living home at the time, so all of these factors have boiled up to breaking point - it’s not an excuse... but it does go some way to explaining the circumstances of the offending.”

Prior to imposing penalty, Magistrate Mary Buchanan said what Harris did was “completely unacceptable behaviour” and police should not be subject to this sort of violence.

She ordered Harris perform 100 hours of unpaid community service and pay $1000 compensation to the assaulted police officer.

No conviction was recorded.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/gladstone/police-courts/harley-harris-sentenced-for-headbutting-police-officer-in-cafe-incident/news-story/41a38cc25c87be74cb66e5c969fe811e