David Wilson: Port Macquarie man threatened cop in scuttle during arrest

An apprentice who injured three police officers in a drunken tussle, calling one a “gronk” and threatening to punch one officer in the “f*****g mouth”, has been sentenced.

An apprentice who threatened and injured three police officers, calling one a “gronk”, has been ordered to pay $1500 in fines following an appearance in court.

David Wilson, 26, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in execution of duty (without actual bodily harm) and two counts of resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty after a drunken tussle on a street in the Port Macquarie’s CBD.

He appeared at Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday.

Just after 2am on Saturday, March 7, police were pursuing the co-accused – a man who is known to Wilson and alleged to have assaulted someone on Clarence St, Port Macquarie – along Horton St and surrounding roads.

Soon after, officers saw the co-accused standing on Short St, stopped next to him and arrested the man.

As police were arresting the man, Wilson approached officers from the side stating that he was filming the event.

Court documents recount the co-accused “violently resisting” the arrest, while officers asked Wilson to stand back from the altercation multiple times. The onlooker refused, before moving “into a position that was dangerous towards police”.

“This action … caused one of the officers to direct their attention towards (Wilson) while another officer was arresting the co-accused,” police facts claim.

Despite police pushing him back, Wilson continued to gain on police as they tried to close the paddy wagon’s cage door.

“Police told (him) to move back as he was hindering (the arrest),” the facts say.

“(Wilson) pointed at police and moved towards (them saying) ‘my brother’s a cop and I’ll still punch you in the f******g mouth, you gronk’.”

The court heard that, fearing an assault, officers immediately took hold of Wilson who “resisted and wrestled police”, with everyone involved falling to the ground.

As a result of the arrest, three officers have sustained injuries including a small forearm cut, a shoulder injury, arm and shoulder strain, and knee soreness.

Police were able to gain control and arrest Wilson, moving him into the caged vehicle, where he “maintained his agitation and aggression towards police”.

Wilson appeared before a magistrate in Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday.

The offender was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station where he “was not interviewed due to his high level of aggression towards police”, according to the agreed facts.

Wilson’s lawyer told the court that alcohol played a part in the otherwise conviction-free man’s actions.

“(He) was intoxicated at the time and, while that isn’t an offence in itself, it does go some way to explain why he acted the way he did,” Mr McCormack said.

“Mr Wilson is remorseful for his actions.”

Magistrate Georgina Darcy took these facts and the offender’s lack of criminal record into consideration, but warned Wilson there was no reason to act the way he did.

The magistrate told him “the police’s job is hard enough” without having to fend off onlookers who try to interrupt them while making an arrest.

“Your brother, I’m sure, is certainly not proud of your actions,” Ms Darcy said.

“There is a need for a conviction in these matters, for both general and specific deterrence.”

Wilson was convicted for all three offences and fined $500 for each.