Adam Reeca Paget fails in bid to get out of jail after biting cop during dramatic Urbenville, northern NSW arrest
A Northern Rivers man has fought to get out of jail early after he bit a police officer’s finger so viciously hospital treatment was needed. Here’s what happened.
Regional News
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A Northern Rivers man has fought to get out of jail early after he bit a police officer’s finger so viciously hospital treatment was needed.
Urbenville’s Adam Reeca Paget pleaded guilty last Wednesday to two counts of assaulting a police officer causing actual bodily harm and resisting police.
The 40-year-old appeared in Lismore District Court over videolink from behind bars.
Police were called to co-offender Gemma Renee Brett’s home at Urbenville in the Tenterfield Shire about 115km northwest of Lismore about 8.30pm on September 17 last year.
Police were notified Paget was at the 35-year-old woman’s home and checks revealed Paget breached bail by being in contact with her.
Officers spotted Paget in the home and told him he was under arrest, court documents state.
“Come on, I will leave, I know I’m not supposed to be here but I will leave. Give me a break,” Paget replied.
He screamed when he was handcuffed and told police he would not be going back to jail, dropping to the ground to try to prevent his arrest.
Brett told police: “I don’t want him charged, I just wanted him out of my house.”
She screamed, hit the officer in the back and charged toward police, but was pushed away.
Paget was warned he would be struck with a baton if he did not co-operate. He was brought to a police car – and bit down hard on a cop’s pinky finger.
The officer felt “sharp pain” as Paget tried to steal the baton and crawled under the police car.
Police hit Paget’s legs and back with the baton and he was taken into custody.
Paget was treated for injuries at Lismore Base Hospital and then charged.
The injured officer was taken to hospital and returned to work on light duties, the court was told.
Defence lawyer James Fuggle said Paget had already been in jail for nine months and wanted to be released on parole early.
Mr Fuggle told the court Paget did have “criminal antecedents”, but the offending came after he experienced a “disadvantaged background”.
“Paget saw police coming to arrest him and he became frightened. He has since experienced feelings of shame and guilt,” he said.
“He has physical health issues from a workplace incident along with mental health issues, outlined in the psychologist report.”
Magistrate Michael Dakin said it seemed Paget had no remorse because he believed police should not have been at the house and “he was just being silly” at the time.
“The police were met with resistance. It’s clear Paget was aware he wasn’t supposed to be there,” he said.
“Police have a difficult job – they should expect the support of the courts.”
Mr Dakin sentenced Paget to 18 months jail with a one year non-parole period. Convictions were recorded.
Brett pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a police officer causing actual bodily harm, as well as hindering police.
She was sentenced to an 18-month community correction order and convictions were recorded.
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