Jackson Soldic, 30, pleads guilty to assaulting an emergency worker, possessing a drug of dependence

A man has escaped conviction after he spat at police officers while being arrested.

Jackson Soldic fronted the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

A man told police he was trying to protect himself when he spat at a police officer while he was being arrested earlier this year.

Jackson Soldic, 30, pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday to assaulting an emergency worker, possessing a drug of dependence and possessing a controlled weapon.

On June 15, police responded to a welfare check on Soldic and found him walking along Ward St in Bell Post Hill, holding a small knife in his left hand.

He threw the knife over a fence into a resident’s back yard and continued walking.

Police told him to stop, and he became verbally aggressive towards officers.

Soldic briefly resisted being arrested before he was placed into handcuffs.

He was lying on his stomach during the arrest when he spat at one of the officers.

Police found a small, clear ziplock bag filled with green vegetable matter, believed to be cannabis, in his pocket.

During a police interview, Soldic provided no comment but did tell officers “I never intended to do anything wrong, I was just f—king protecting myself”.

Soldic’s lawyer, Simon Northeast, told the court his client had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following the death of his parents, and anxiety and depression.

Mr Northeast said Soldic had also been diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder, a behavioural disorder involving repeated, sudden bouts of impulsive and aggressive behaviour.

“He was walking home that night (and) he reacted badly when the police came,” Mr Northeast said.

Mr Northeast said his client was on a waiting list to access cannabis and alcohol counselling.

The court heard Soldic has three diplomas in sport medicine, sports development and event management.

Magistrate John Lesser said spitting on police or anyone was an “inexcusable action”.

Soldic was not convicted but Mr Lesser said if he comes back to court on similar matters, that would “unlikely happen again”.

Soldic was also fined $1500.

“I hope he addresses his problems so we don’t see him again,” Mr Lesser said.

“Keep your health good and get on with those treatment issues … and hopefully get on with your life.”

Originally published as Jackson Soldic, 30, pleads guilty to assaulting an emergency worker, possessing a drug of dependence