Lachlan Mckinnon: Mildura man twice attacks police while drunk
A Mildura man found asleep in the remains of his souvlaki was too drunk to use his mobile phone to call family. But when police tried to arrest him, he elbowed one to the face. And weeks later he was at it again.
Mildura
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A Mildura man twice attacked police while drunk, including kicking an officer in the head, a court has heard.
Lachlan Mckinnon, who was 19 at the time of the two incidents, pleaded guilty at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Police said Mckinnon was at the Souvlaki Inn in Langtree Ave during the early hours of August 17 last year when their assistance was called.
Police found Mckinnon in an unresponsive state, with souvlaki spread across the table.
When asked if he’d had a big night, Mckinnon was said to have replied: “F--kin’ oath.”
He was too drunk to use his phone to call a family member.
As police tried to handcuff Mckinnon, he elbowed a constable to the face.
He later kicked at police while they were attempting to close the divvy van door.
Weeks later on September 29, just after 3am, police were called to a home after Mckinnon had exchanged words with his father.
Officers found Mckinnon sleeping outside.
After he was woken, Mckinnon grabbed a senior constable in a headlock and kicked a constable in the head.
He was sprayed by police and put in handcuffs, but remained aggressive.
When he was eventually interviewed he couldn’t recall the incident because he was so drunk.
Mckinnon’s lawyer said his client acknowledged the behaviour was completely unacceptable and that the incidents served as a “wake-up call”.
On the night of the first incident, Mckinnon remembered drinking heavily at The Sandbar pub and then waking up in a police cell.
The second incident occurred after drinking during AFL Grand Final day.
Mckinnon’s lawyer said he had turned to alcohol after a traumatic incident where he found the body of a friend who had died by suicide.
The court wast told Mckinnon hadn’t had any contact with police in the almost 12 months since the second incident.
Magistrate Michael Coghlan said the public had an expectation police officers should not be treated this way.
“The last few days the media have highlighted the way police officers have dealt with members of the public and everybody is quick to members of police if they believe they are no dealing with people in the right way,” Mr Coghlan said.
“They have a difficult job if you ask me.
“They didn’t ask to go to your father’s house to deal with you as a drunk person … but you decided to drink so much you didn’t have a recollection.”
Mckinnon, now 20, will be assessed for his suitability to participate in a community corrections order.
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