Aaron James Heather sentenced for breaking police officer’s nose

A Central Coast father whose life spiralled out of control on ‘ice’ has been sentenced after he broke the nose of a police officer.

A San Remo father who broke a police officer’s nose during a drug-induced episode has been sentenced to at least four years jail.

Aaron James Heather’s life spiralled out of control after a few months on the drug ‘ice’ and at one stage he believed the devil was coming after he and his family.

The court heard in March 2019, Heather ate 3-4g of ‘ice’ before shaving his head and driving to a house in Budgewoi where he grabbed a young boy by the arm and told him the child was “his leader”.

Sergeant Rachael Robins after she was assaulted by Aaron Heather. Picture: supplied

Heather was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station. About 9.30pm on March 18, Sergeant Rachael Robbins offered him a cup of tea and when she opened the cell door he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her head down on his knee twice.

“(The officer) heard a ”crunching sound’ and could see blood dripping onto the floor of the charge room,” the police facts stated.

Sgt Robbins was taken to hospital where she received stitches and later underwent plastic surgery.

Heather pleaded guilty to 19 offences including causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest as well as negligent driving and wilful and obscene exposure.

Aaron James Heather was a devoted dad who coached his sons soccer team before he became hooked on ice. Picture: supplied

On Tuesday, the 43-year-old was sentenced in the Sydney District Court to eight years imprisonment with a non parole period of four years.

During his sentence hearing in the Gosford District Court last October, the court heard Heather started taking what he thought was `speed’ in November 2018 after his best mate died.

After a few months, Heather’s paranoia and erratic behaviour became obvious and his wife began to express concern.

The assault happened at Wyong Police Station in March 2019.

The court heard before he started taking ice he was a man of good character with no criminal record. He was also a devoted father who coached one of his children’s soccer teams.

Heather told the court he should have listened to his wife and sought help but was too weak. He said he was “totally disgusted” with his actions towards the police officer and was “eternally sorry”.

Judge David Wilson handed down the sentence and accepted Heather had shown genuine remorse. He will be eligible for parole on March 17 2023.