Man bailed despite involvement in attack on police officer
AN alleged thug with a violent hatred of police has been cut loose on bail, despite allegations of his involvement in a cowardly attack on a police officer.
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AN alleged thug with a violent hatred of police has been cut loose on bail, despite allegations of his involvement in a cowardly attack on a police officer.
Police claim Lawrence Ripita, 22, of Tarneit, made a run for it down Flinders St while handcuffed, after his mate attacked the policeman from behind.
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Magistrate Alan Spillane bailed him despite hearing he was already free in the community on a community corrections order and bail.
Police prosecutor Sen-Constable David Lee had opposed Ripita’s release on the grounds he would pose a further risk to the public.
“If police themselves aren’t safe from him, what about the risk to the community?” he said.
The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard Ripita had never spent a day behind bars before last weekend, despite a history of attacking police.
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He had been bailed about a week earlier after allegedly abusing police and threatening to bash them.
In that instance, he was doused in capsicum spray.
He was already awaiting court on four other matters dating back to 2015, including charges of resisting and assaulting police.
Ripita was arrested in the CBD at midnight last Sunday after a witness claimed he smashed a liquor shop window.
He was charged with a variety of offences, including resisting arrest, but was not charged over the escape attempt.
Mr Spillane said he was surprised Ripita wasn’t charged with the offence, but accepted he was unlikely to be jailed if convicted over his latest alleged offending.
In granting bail, Mr Spillane told Ripita it was “early days” of his community corrections order and urged him to comply with it.
“I’ll give you a chance today, but don’t mess it up,” he said.
Ripita will appear in court again in February.