Angela Maree Baulch sentenced for spitting on police

A Sunshine Coast policewoman was “repulsed and disgusted” after being bitten and spat on while trying to help a woman.

A former luxury yacht worker cried while she was being sentenced for biting a police officer and spitting on another.

Angela Maree Baulch received a nine-month prison sentence on Friday after she pleaded guilty to seriously assaulting a police officer by biting causing bodily harm and seriously assaulting another by biting or spitting.

The court heard police officers were performing a welfare check on Baulch, 52, on November 11, 2021 when she lashed out and spat on the officers.

Police prosecutor Alison Johnstone said the spit landed on the male officer’s neck and shirt while the female officer had spit on her body.

Sergeant Johnstone said the female officer also suffered “gouges and scratches” to her wrist and endured pain in right thumb knuckle after the assault.

She said the officer had visible scarring after the attack and was mentally impacted.

“Mouths are not particularly clean and neither is under a person’s nails, I was repulsed and disgusted by being spat at and on and also having Miss Baulch rip into my skin,” the female officer wrote.

“Spitting at me and on someone is one of the most insulting things you can do to someone.”

Sergeant Johnstone said Baulch was on parole for similar offending when she attacked the officers and suggested a 15-month prison sentence.

She asked for a parole eligibility date to be set after Baulch served one third.

Sergeant Johnstone said the sentence had to be cumulative to a three-year prison term Baulch was currently serving.

She also asked for $2000 in compensation to be paid to each officer.

Solicitor Bernard Bradley said Baulch worked on luxury yachts before her career ended after a traumatic experience with European police in 2010.

Mr Bradley said Baulch suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and generally dealt well with the support of a carer and supportive family.

“She experiences overwhelming emotion post traumatic stress disorder responses which includes flashbacks of the event, nightmares, insomnia, outbursts of anger and a compulsion to manage overwhelming feelings with alcohol,” he said.

He said Baulch, who was intoxicated when she committed the offences, had attempted to address her alcohol use and was prescribed a medication that made her sick if she drank alcohol.

Mr Bradley said the “life changing medication” wasn’t available during the Covid-19 pandemic, but had since been restocked on Australian shelves.

“She was without this medication at the time she committed the offences,” he said.

He said she had entered a plea of guilty and spent 67 days in prison and reduced staff measures because of the recent floods.

“Her behaviour was clearly appalling, she was clearly unwell and under the influence (and) required to be sedated by ambulance offices,” he said.

Mr Bradley said Baulch showed a desire to be rehabilitated and when released would continue to receive professional help, would have access to her medication and was willing to be admitted to hospital if needed.

“There are prospects of rehabilitation which reduce risk of reoffending,” he said.

He asked for an immediate parole eligibility date to be set.

Magistrate Christopher Callaghan agreed Baulch’s behaviour was “appalling”.

“Police have to be protected from this type of behaviour,” he said.

“Their job is a difficult job and they are there to help us all live a safe and happy life.”

Mr Callaghan said her past trauma and mental illness was an important consideration but noted it wasn’t an excuse.

“Your post traumatic stress disorder does not excuse your behaviour, you must know that you've got to control it,” he said.

He noted her rehabilitation prospects, time in custody and support network.

“You are willing to do what you need to do so you don't end up where you are now and can live a happier life,” he said.

Mr Callaghan said a 15-month prison sentence would have been “crushing” and issued a parole eligibility date on April 20, 2022.

He said he didn’t think Baulch was in a position to pay compensation.

Baulch’s 67 days of custody was declared as time served.

The sentence was added to the end of her current three-year sentence.