Caleb Souter went to the police station drunk to harass and hinder police

Police usually have to go find troublemakers, but one young man took the trouble to them after downing six vodka martinis, beers, and pre-mixed UDLs.

Police usually have to leave the police station to find the troublemakers, but a young man saved them a trip when he went in drunk to make demands.

Caleb Souter, 32, appeared in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to hindering police in the execution of their duty and refusing to comply with a direction.

The court heard the Goulburn traffic controller had drunk a lot of alcohol on the night of May 29, including six vodka martinis, beers, and pre-mixed UDLs. In his drunken state, the court was told Souter decided to go to the Goulburn Police Station because he’d heard police were looking for him.

Police facts state Souter was in a “highly aggressive and agitated state” when he arrived at the station and slammed his hands down on the counter. He demanded to know why the police wanted to see him, according to court documents.

Caleb Souter walked into a police station while drunk and picked a fight with the cops. Picture: Facebook

When police told him they didn’t actually want to see him, police facts show he became even more agitated and belligerent. Court documents reveal he threw his wallet, phone, beanie and two dollars at an officer on duty.

The court heard police repeatedly asked Souter to leave the station but he persisted with his erratic and abusive behaviour, demanding to know why police wanted him. After he failed to comply with the order to leave the station, court documents reveal an officer tried to escort him from the premises by taking his forearm.

In response, Souter grabbed the officer’s jumper forcing another cop to perform a knee strike while a third helped get Souter to the ground.

Souter’s lawyer Sam Rowland said the incident was “bizarre, concerning, and completely unnecessary”.

He told the court his client was not a drinker and had tried to drown his sorrows that night after he was unable to see his son due to custody issues.

Mr Rowland told the court Souter had gone to the Goulburn Police Station twice to try to apologise to the officers involved in his ruckus, but they had not been on duty. He said his client regretted his behaviour and would like to make amends.

“He’s prepared to accept the consequences of his actions,” he said.

Caleb Souter appeared at Goulburn Local Court for his sentencing. Picture: Craig Dunlop

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie told Souter his intrusion couldn’t have been clearer when police made repeated requests for him to leave and desist.

“Police didn’t want you and, in that state, they didn’t want you in the police station either,” she said.

The magistrate said hindering someone in the execution of their job was a very serious offence which carried a maximum penalty of imprisonment.

“If someone has a duty, they really have no choice but to do it,” she said.

She agreed with Mr Rowland that his client’s refusal to leave the police station was “bizarre”. Magistrate Beattie said Souter was “obviously drunk” and suggested abstinence from alcohol in the future.

“If drinking alcohol makes you commit offences, don’t do it,” she said.

The magistrate sentenced Souter to a six-month community corrections order and fined him $150.