Harrison Farley pleads guilty to spitting on police officer at Sunshine Coast University Hospital

A former Sunshine Coast drug trafficker has been jailed for a methed up crime spree which involved his foul attack on a policeman after violently resisting officers and hospital staff.

Harrison Ethan Desmond Farley faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

A former Kenilworth drug dealer has received more jail time for his “disgusting” act of spitting on a police officer following his arrest.

This reprehensible offence was only one of more than a dozen charges Harrison Ethan Desmond Farley pleaded guilty to in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

These included six counts of breaching bail, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, one of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and serious assault of police by biting or spitting.

The court heard the 24-year-old was found with a small amounts of crystal meth and cannabis, a pipe, a needle and knife and also failed to stop for police on October 2, 2023 at Nambour.

Farley was also a passenger in a stolen vehicle filled with three other people when it crashed at Nundah on November 3, 2023. Farley then ran off with the group. Police do not allege he stole or drove the vehicle.

The most serious offences occurred on April 14 at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Birtinya.

Farley pleaded guilty to all charges in court on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

The court was told Farley was arrested for failing to appear, and was found “completely off [his] head on drugs”.

He was taken to hospital due to his intoxication however he behaved violently against the nursing staff who called police.

Farley continued to lash out violently with his legs and arms. Police struggled to bring him under control.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said the Kenilworth man started to make noises indicating he was gathering saliva in his mouth, and was warned by officers and nurse staff to stop.

He then spat a “ball of flem” onto a police officer, which narrowly missed his face but ended up on his shirt.

Farley spent 107 days in custody leading up to his sentence.

He has spent about three months in custody. Picture: Facebook

Defence lawyer Michael Robinson said the former cabinet maker and labourer struggled with drugs and had lost his employment because of it.

Mr Robinson said Farley’s goal once he was released from jail was to avoid old friendship circles and get back to employment.

The Maroochydore magistrate told Farley the serious assault was of “disgusting nature” which had a significant mental impact on the officer, according to his victim impact statement before the court.

Mr McLaughlin said drug users sometimes carry diseases such as hepatitis, however stated the “saving grace” was that it didn’t land on the policeman’s skin.

“You get no mercy if you go off your head on drugs on purpose and then break the law,” he told Farley who appeared in court by video after being held in custody by breaching his parole for drug trafficking.

Farley was given a head sentence of six months and 14 days’ jail, which was cumulative to his 2020 Supreme Court sentence. He was granted parole eligibility on Tuesday.