Stewart Bradley Want in court over Warana police assault

From a harmless poke in the chest to punching an officer in the face, a former prawn packer’s erratic behaviour rapidly escalated when he assaulted a police officer.

A former prawn packer’s erratic behaviour rapidly escalated when he punched a police officer in the face after abusing his mother, a court has heard.

Stewart Bradley Want was placed on a $800 good behaviour bond for nine months after he pleaded guilty to two offences including assaulting police and committing a public nuisance in Warana on April 6, 2022.

Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke said Want was being placed in a police car when he lashed out at an officer.

Sergeant Nitschke said Want punched the officer in the face with a clenched fist before running away from police.

He said the aggressive 19-year-old later returned to the address and was sprayed by police with capsicum spray before being arrested.

The court heard police were called to the Warana address after it was reported Want was verbally abusing his mother.

Sergeant Nitschke said an erratic Want met police at the door of the address and told officers to get off his land.

“One minute … (Want) was speaking calmly the next he was aggressive and threatening before returning to calm again,” Sergeant Nitschke said.

He also told an officer to “f--k off” and poked him in the chest.

Stewart Bradley Want was placed on a $800 good behaviour bond for nine months after he pleaded guilty to two offences including assaulting police. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily

Police were trying to arrest Want when he started violently resisting by thrashing his arms around.

Sergeant Nitschke said it was a serious offence and suggested a fine as an appropriate punishment

Duty lawyer David Crews said Want was drunk at time and didn’t offer an excuse for his behaviour.

Mr Crews said the 19-year-old was unemployed after he was fired from a fisheries business for driving a forklift.

Magistrate Rod Madsen considered Want’s early plea and absence of criminal history.

Mr Madsen said the good behaviour bond should act as a warning to the teen.

He said it was a serious offence that could have had worse consequences.

No conviction was recorded.