Alex Ashley Assenberg learns his fate after assaulting a police officer and spitting into their mouth

A KFC worker has blamed going of his meds for assaulting police twice in two weeks.

Assenberg was charged with multiple counts of assaulting police and spitting in the mouth of one officer. Photo: Fergus Gregg

A KFC worker who went off his medication found himself in trouble with the law after he spat into a police officer’s mouth.

Alex Ashley Assenberg, 27, was also drunk when he assaulted police, Mackay Magistrates Court heard.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer called Assenberg a grub and said what he did was a “dirty, filthy, disgusting thing”.

“Police officers are not there for you to spit in their mouths,” Mr Dwyer said, adding it wasn’t the first but second time he’d committed the gross act.

Ms Santin said Assenberg’s family were supportive of him and would assist him in staying on the right track. Photo: Fergus Gregg

The court heard the offending started after Assenberg went off his medication and, dealing with the loss of close friends, got drunk and assaulted a police officer once on October 26 and again on November 9.

Assenberg’s lawyer Laura Santin told the court her client struggled with his health and wanted to address his issues with grief and loss through counselling.

Mr Dwyer interrupted Ms Santin and said, “he doesn’t struggle at all”.

“He struggles with complying with his doctor’s advice,” Mr Dwyer said telling the court the act was premeditated and Assenberg could receive counselling and mental health help while serving a term of imprisonment.

He asked Assenberg directly why he was in court and Assenberg said it was because he wasn’t on his medication.

“I felt I had a bit too much on my plate … I thought I knew better, and I didn’t speak to my doctor,” Assenberg said.

Mr Dwyer replied: “that’s what happens when you go off your medication.”

Ms Santin her client was a KFC worker prior to his arrest andwould approach the business to see if it would take him back.

Magistrate Dwyer said he was satisfied the only reason the offending took place was because Assenberg did not follow his mental health regimen. Photo: Fergus Gregg

She asked that Assenberg receive a probation and community service order, adding he was willing to pay $1500 to the officer he spat at.

Ultimately, Mr Dwyer said the offending took place because Assenberg had stopped taking his medication and was not following his mental health regimen.

“When you’re on your medicine you’re a good guy, you’re a productive member of this community,” Mr Dwyer said.

“When you’re not, you’re a grub it’s as simple as that.”

Assenberg spent 54 days in custody before appearing in court.

Mr Dwyer added Assenberg had “a bit of trouble in your younger days with drugs” but given the time since this occurred, he did not take it into account.

Assenberg pleaded guilty to a raft of charges including two counts of assaulting a police officer, serious assault of a police officer by spitting, obstructing a police officer and two contraventions of a community-based order.

He was placed on one year of probation, ordered to pay $1500 in compensation to the victim officer and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service within a six-month period.

“The ball’s in your court Mr Assenberg, I hope I never see you again,” Mr Dwyer said.

“But if you go off your meds I will.”

Convictions were recorded and Assenberg’s 54 days in pre-sentence custody were declared as time served.