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Why truckie threatened to punch cop ‘in the f***ing chops’

A man threatened to punch a police officer in the face, then begged to keep his licence. Here’s why.

A man found with cannabis in his system threatened to punch a police constable who repeatedly asked him to get out of his car. Picture: iStock
A man found with cannabis in his system threatened to punch a police constable who repeatedly asked him to get out of his car. Picture: iStock

A TRUCKIE pulled over by a police constable in Salisbury took two drags on his cigarette despite being warned not to and then threatened to punch the officer, a court has heard.

Victor John Wiatrowski faced Holland Park Magistrates Court this morning (July 20) on charges of obstructing police, contravening a police direction and driving under the influence.

Wiatrowski was pulled over on Flanders St on February 8, police prosecutor Sergeant Elen French told the court.

“He was told to put out his cigarette, but took two puffs before he was asked to get out of the car,’’ Sgt French said.

She said the constable asked Wiatrowski five times to leave the vehicle but was repeatedly refused.

“Do you want a punch in your f***ing chops?,” the defendant then asked the constable.

The officer reached into the vehicle, unbuckled Wiatrowski’s seatbelt and restrained him physically.

Wiatrowski was taken to Acacia Ridge police station where he refused to answer questions, Sgt French said.

A saliva analysis showed cannabis in his system but Wiatrowski claimed he had no knowledge of how it got there.

Wiatrowski’s lawyer said his client drove a truck for a living and needed a work licence.

His traffic and criminal histories were limited and not current.

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Magistrate Simon Young said Wiatrowski’s behaviour towards the officer was very poor.

However, Mr Young took into account his early guilty please to all charges, his relatively good traffic and criminal history and the fact he needed to drive for work.

“Clearly, you are otherwise a hardworking person and you made something of a mistake,’’ Mr Young said.

“It’s not something you intentionally set out to do. You say you did not know cannabis was in your system.’’

He imposed a fine of $1000 and disqualified the defendant from driving for three months, but allowed him to have a work licence. No convictions were recorded.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/why-truckie-threatened-to-punch-cop-in-the-fing-chops/news-story/6c5452008f198bed77eafae9f59c2744