Michael Smith jailed for violent assault on police officer

A Gippsland father who violently kicked a police officer in the head has been jailed for his deplorable actions.

Michael Smith was jailed for assaulting a police officer.

A Gippsland father who violently assaulted a police officer has been jailed for his crimes.

Michael Smith, 32, pleaded guilty in Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on December 3 to several charges including assault, possessing cannabis, possessing stolen goods, littering and theft.

The court heard police were conducting patrols in Casey and Dandenong when they attempted to pull over a car at 1.30am on November 22, 2016.

Smith’s car slowed and appeared to be stopping before accelerating away from police and parking on the nature strip of a residential property.

Smith got out and ran towards the front door and police tired to the stop him.

Smith began violently resisting police, kicking one police officer in the head.

He attempted to punch the same police officer while aggressively resisting another other officer.

Police subdued Smith with OC spray but Smith continued to fight them.

Smith managed to break free and run through the house.

Police called for back-up and eventually Smith was arrested.

Smith’s lawyer Yvonne Kushnir said Smith was no longer showing “violent and aggressive behaviour”.

“He is now rational when speaking to police,” she said.

Ms Kushnir said Smith had faced “numerous health issues” and hadn’t had an “easy ride throughout his entire life.”

Magistrate Simon Garnett said Smith’s offending over the years was serious and repetitive.

“It’s promising in the last year or two, your offending has dropped off but still the offending that I’m dealing with is serious,” he said.

Magistrate Garnett said the offending was calculated and would have had a significant impact on the victims.

“It shows you had a lack of respect … the court doesn’t tolerate violent responses,” he said.

Smith was sentenced to 12 months in prison with a non-parole period of six months, fined $750 and his licence was cancelled for 6 months.

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