Reservoir cop basher Teressa Piazza has jail sentence for kicking officer thrown out on appeal
A Melbourne stylist who brutally assaulted a police officer during a traffic stop in Reservoir before scratching police in a separate incident a month later has had her 10-month jail sentence thrown out on appeal.
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A Melbourne mum who kicked a police officer in the head during a traffic stop in Reservoir has had her jail sentence thrown out on appeal.
Teressa Piazza was sentenced in the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court in June last year to 10 months’ jail after pleading guilty to charges including recklessly cause injury to an emergency services worker.
However, Piazza, who was also handed a 12-month community correction order, successfully appealed her sentence at the County Court this week.
Judge Frank Gucciardo set aside the decision and sentenced Piazza to time served – 48 days – and a two-year community correction order
The court heard Piazza assaulted a police officer after she was intercepted in Reservoir on January 3, 2017.
Piazza kicked the officer in the head as he was bending down to pick up her car keys.
Part of the officer’s molar fell out about a week after the assault.
As a result, the officer suffered “constant pain” and required ongoing dental work.
The court heard the officer had been unable to return to police duties.
Piazza was bailed then arrested again barely a month later after she flipped her car on a busy road.
The court heard Piazza threatened to damage her neighbour’s house then drove her car “erratically” and “at speed” on the wrong side of the road.
Piazza, a mother and Melbourne based hair and make-up stylist, smashed into another car.
The impact caused her car to slam into a brick wall.
The car flipped over but Piazza emerged unscathed.
Piazza then resisted police who requested she undertake a drug assessment.
The court heard Piazza “shaped up to police with clenched fists” then scratched an officer.
The magistrates’ court matter was delayed after Piazza failed to front a court hearing.
In his victim statement, the officer kicked in the head by Piazza said he suffered “emotional and physical” issues.
The officer said he was caring for his ill father at the time and the assault “made this worse”.
His injury required ongoing medical assistance and the fatigue made his work and social life hard.
Judge Gucciardo said he was informed the officer was “yet to return to police duties”.
“This is a serious consequence which I must and do take into account,” Judge Gucciardo said.
“The impact on violence upon victims often has long-term and profound repercussions.
“The first responders on the frontline are vulnerable to aggression, violence when working to protect the community.
“Their protection and proper retribution is reflected in legal enactments as to the sentencing.”
The court heard Piazza, who also pleaded guilty to reckless conduct endangering serious injury and assault, was suffering severe mental issues at the time of the assault.
Judge Gucciardo took into account Piazza’s plea, her remorse and her progress through rehabilitation in the “face of very difficult and challenging circumstances”.
Judge Gucciardo disagreed with a counter submission Piazza had shown “no remorse”.
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