Peter Bertosa: Batemans Bay man threatens police, staff at Catalina Country Club

A man who drunkenly abused and threatened police at a NSW south coast club, saying he would “spear them” on their head, was previously jailed for assaulting police in 2016, a court has heard.

Peter Bertosa leaving Batemans Bay Local Court.

A man previously jailed for assaulting police officers has narrowly avoided more jail time after being kicked out of a NSW south coast club for threatening staff and police officers, saying he would “spear them” on their “f--king head”.

The incident saw Peter Bertosa, 57, appear before the Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, pleading guilty to intimidate police officers, excluded person remain on licensed premises, stalk or intimidate to intend fear and use offensive language in a public place.

Documents tendered to the court reveal the Batemans Bay man became “extremely” intoxicated at the Catalina Country Club on the evening of August 11 this year.

Agreed facts state the 57-year-old’s drunken state identified by staff with the club’s manager refusing to continue serving him drinks.

“I’m gonna smash your face in,” agreed facts state Bertosa said to the manager.

The incident happened at the Catalina Country Club on August 11. Picture: Tom McGann

“F--king redneck b-tch c--t, I’ll f--king bash ya,” he continued as he was ushered to the front door.

Despite being told to leave the club by the manager, the drunken Bertosa stood outside near the door and continued to yell.

Peter Bertosa was jailed in 2016 for assaulting police, the court heard.

Documents reveal police were called to the club by “worried” staff, who, upon arriving, also faced Bertosa’s abuse.

“I don’t give a f--k,” agreed facts state Bertosa said to police when they informed him their names.

Bertosa continued to yell at the police as they told him to calm down and leave the area.

“F--k off,” he replied, according to the court documents.

Peter Bertosa was sentenced in the Batemans Bay Local Court. Picture: File.

Police arrested Bertosa after he repeatedly refused to leave.

“F--k you, c--t,” he told police.

“I’ll pick you up and spear you on your f--king head.”

Bertosa was taken to the Batemans Bay Police Station and charged.

In Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, Bertosa’s lawyer, Daniel Turner, said his client’s inappropriate behaviour could be attributed to a brain injury he sustained when he was assaulted in 2012.

However, Magistrate Michael Love said there were no excuses and noted Bertosa was jailed in 2016 for assaulting police.

“Alcohol was the issue then and here we have him again, intoxicated and threatening police officers,” he said.

Mr Love said the cycle of alcohol and abuse toward police needed to stop.

“The court is getting sick and tired of this,” he said.

“You drink, you commit a serious offence, you go to court, you stop offending for a bit then you offend again.”

Mr Love said he was very close to sending Bertosa to full time custody.

“If you commit an offence like this again in the next 18 months, you will go to jail,” he said.

“I understand you have the brain injury, but there comes a time when the community refuses to accept that you can go to a club until you get cut off and then you start abusing and threatening staff.

“It’s not good enough and it needs to stop now.”

Bertosa was convicted, sentenced to an 18 month supervised community corrections order and fined $800.

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