Eli Martin: Lismore Heights man tried to fight strangers on Ballina main street
A man’s bizarre attempts to pick fights with strangers – including hurling abuse – ended up with police unleashing the pepper spray and a day in court.
Police & Courts
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A shirtless man provoking random men to fight him on a main street in Ballina was pepper sprayed when he became aggressive, a court has heard.
Eli James Martin, 30, pleaded guilty at Ballina Local Court on Thursday to affray, unlawful violence towards two people as well as assaulting and resisting a police officer.
Police saw the Lismore Heights man attempting to start a fight with a man about 6.30pm on River St in Ballina on December 9, court documents state.
“He was taking off his shirt and antagonising the man to engage him in a fight,” the police facts state. “The man walked away while Martin continued to verbally abuse him.”
Police saw Martin do the same thing to another man and was ignored.
When police asked the man what had happened he said: “I don’t even know this man and he tried to pick a fight with me”.
Police tried to speak to Martin and he became aggressive towards them.
“He was squaring up on police and attempted to throw a punch on several occasions,” police documents state.
Martin ran down a side alley and police chased him on foot, when they caught up to him he came within 1m of an officer with a balled fist and was pepper sprayed.
He hit the ground and resisted arrest by putting his hands under his stomach. After his arrest, he continued to verbally abuse officers for hours.
The court heard at the time of the offending the street was busy with people.
“This included families with young children going out for dinner,” Magistrate Karen Stafford said. “Since the offending, Martin has received a raft of support from a men’s group.”
Ms Stafford sentenced him to a 12-month community correction order and fined him $1000.
Martin must also receive psychological treatment, alcohol counselling and complete a men and family course.
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