Callum Ryan, 23, pleads guilty to attacking trio of police officers while being detained following previous common assault
A northern NSW man attacked three cops by spitting and kicking at them – and punching one in the face. He yelled: “I only spit on pigs that are c-nts” and was pepper sprayed, a court has heard.
Police & Courts
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A Richmond Valley man attacked three police officers by spitting, kicking and punching them while being arrested during a “mental health episode”, a Northern Rivers court has heard.
Woodburn’s Callum David Ryan, 23, pleaded guilty at Ballina Local Court on Thursday to assaulting a police officer causing actual bodily harm and two counts of assaulting a police officer.
Ryan was on a community corrections order for a prior common assault offence at the time.
Police were called to a Woodburn home about 9.15pm on July 5. Ryan became “irate” and began yelling at officers when they entered the house, according to agreed facts in court documents.
“I’m sorry – f--k off”, he demanded.
Police became concerned with Ryan’s wellbeing because of how quickly his demeanour “escalated”. Officers spoke with Ryan to try to calm him down, but he continued to yell at them.
“We’re done. F--king dumb cops,” he said.
The documents state police left the house in a bid to de-escalate the situation, but remained by the front door to listen to a conversation.
Officers overheard Ryan speaking with another person in the home and he threatened self harm, the court was told.
Police phoned for an ambulance and re-entered the home, informing Ryan he was being detained for a medical assessment.
Officers moved to detain Ryan and he punched an officer in the cheek – leaving a three centimetre cut and swelling.
Police deployed capsicum spray to take control of the situation, but Ryan continued to fight and tore an officer’s shirt.
“Three police officers were required to physically restrain him before handcuffs were put on,” the documents state.
Ryan “violently thrashed” and kicked an officer in the leg while yelling and screaming.
He spat on an officer’s face and screamed: “I only spit on pigs that are c--ts”.
Eventually, Ryan was sedated and put on an ambulance stretcher, the court heard.
A family member informed police
Police spoke to a family member who reiterated Ryan was suffering from poor mental health.
A few days later, police returned to Ryan’s address, arrested him and took him to Lismore Police Station. He was charged over the violent interaction with officers.
Police told the court Ryan suffers from problems with alcohol and chronic neck pain and needed ongoing treatment.
The case has been adjourned to September 13.
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