Goodna man, Ronald Ray Kiem, sentenced after biting police officer in alcohol-fuelled assault

A court has heard how a Goodna fruit-picker launched himself at a police officer and bit him while resisting arrest.

A Goodna man has been sentenced for resisting arrest last year in a violent alcohol-fuelled assault.

Fruit-picker Ronald Ray Kiem, 39, pleaded guilty on Monday, July 25 to seriously assaulting a police officer.

The court heard police were called to Kiem’s house on December 1, 2021 after receiving a complaint about a disturbance.

After interviewing a witness, they attempted to arrest Kiem, but he became aggressive and told them “you’re asking for the wrong trouble”.

The court heard Kiem refused to go with the police, and warned them “I will hurt you” – so the police called for further assistance.

The aggrieved officer arrived shortly after and attempted to move Kiem to the police car, but Kiem struggled and another officer came over to help.

The court heard Kiem then “launched himself forward” and he and one of the officers fell to the ground.

Kiem then bit the officer on his wrist, drawing blood.

Kiem was taken into custody – where he has since been – and was too intoxicated to be interviewed at the time.

Judge Dennis Lynch noted the officer involved required treatment and disease testing, and that he had “suffered immense mental and physical trauma” as a result of the incident.

The court heard Kiem had previously been convicted for assaulting and obstructing police, along with drug-related offending.

Defence lawyer Dan Boddice said Kiem had been introduced to drugs and alcohol at an early age, and that his time in custody was “quite literally a sobering experience for him”.

Judge Lynch noted that during Kiem’s previous District Court appearance, it was put forward that he suffered from mental illnesses including schizophrenia – but Judge Lynch said alcohol misuse was a more relevant factor to Kiem’s most recent offending.

“The community won’t tolerate you assaulting police officers in future,“ he said.

Kiem was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, with 236 days of pre-sentence custody declared time-served.

Judge Lynch ordered Kiem be released on parole immediately but noted he will need to remain in custody until his ongoing MagistratesCourt matters were resolved.