Jade O’Neil appeals sentence after being jailed for intimidation offences, one against a police officer

A Hunter man who launched horrific threats against a female police officer, calling her a “putrid whore” has launched an appeal against his jail sentence. Read what happened in court.

Jade O’Neil had his sentence reduced by three months at Newcastle District Court on Tuesday. Supplied Amy Ziniak

A Hunter judge has warned a man to learn to keep his “mouth shut” after he launched a barrage of vile comments against a female police officer while in custody.

On Valentine’s Day, Jade O’Neil, 32, was sentenced to at least 11 months jail after he pleaded guilty to two intimidation offences, before he appealed the severity of his sentence in Newcastle District Court on Tuesday.

The court heard O’Neil, who had an “extremely bad record” of domestic violence offences, became aggressive towards a woman over his “desire for sexual intercourse” and threatened her.

In a separate incident while in custody, O’Neil was also found to have launched horrific verbal abuse at a female police officer.

“I have a 45 and I will stop you going home to your family, I will slit your throat,” the court heard he said.

He also called the officer a “putrid whore” and a “f--king mutt” before telling her he would “get the bikies” onto her.

Giving evidence via video link, O’Neil detailed a troubled drug filled past however told the court he wanted to get his life back on track for his kids and family.

He told the court he had plans to move away from Newcastle to Kempsey close to family when released.

Defence for O’Neil said while the words said were “extreme and poor” he was affected by drugs at the time and he is now motivated to make change.

The Crown argued the appeal should be dismissed and intimidation of that sort “should not be tolerated”.

While Judge Roy Ellis noted that while he wasn’t entitled to any leniency due to his poor record, the outcome was “perhaps a little too severe”.

He quashed O’Neil’s sentence and ordered he instead serve a jail term of one year and three months with a non-parole period of eight months, a three month reduction. It means he’ll be eligible for parole in October.

“Learn to keep your mouth shut,” Mr Ellis said.

“What you said to the police officer was uncalled for.

“You were carrying on like an idiot. You do need to learn to shut your trap.”