Magistrate Viviana Keegan slams Ethan Kyle Leedie for serious assault and habitual thieving
A Magistrate has reminded a drug addict that habitual dishonesty would not be tolerated by the community.
Townsville
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A drug addict who scratched and clawed a police officer in an attempt to evade arrest has been sentenced to jail.
Ethan Kyle Leedie had been released on parole five days prior when he was caught stealing a bottle of Jack Daniel’s from Dan Murphy’s on January 23, 2020.
The Townsville Magistrate Court heard Leedie stole alcohol, sunglasses, milk, orange juice and chips from various stores over four separate occasions in January and February 2020.
He was also found to be in possession of two TV remote controls and three wireless headphones that were suspected of being stolen.
Police prosecutor Anita Page told the court Leedie had a five page criminal history with various dishonesty offences.
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Leedie was located by police on February 23, 2020 after patrols identified a stolen Holden Commodore station wagon in the driveway of a Heatley address.
Police questioned Leedie over the vehicle and admitted he knew it was stolen.
The 26-year-old was placed under arrest but tried to flee and assaulted one of the police officers, scratching a clawing his face and chest drawing blood.
Leedie pleaded guilty to serious assault, four counts of stealing, unlawful possession of stolen property and obstruct police officer.
Defence lawyer Kevin Amantea said his client had suffered from an ice addiction for a number of years and was under the influence of drugs during the offending.
Magistrate Viviana Keegan said her punishment would reflect the seriousness of the offences.
”You have stolen so many things that you will simply just be sentenced to longer and longer in jail,” she said.
“The community is over it; the community does not accept stealing or assaults on police officers.”
Magistrate Keegan sentenced Leedie to nine months imprisonment with a parole eligibility date set at September 21, 2020.
Originally published as Magistrate Viviana Keegan slams Ethan Kyle Leedie for serious assault and habitual thieving