Unemployed man, 25, pleads guilty to throwing large rock at police car in Lake Munmorah
AN UNEMPLOYED man who threw a brick at a passing police car in NSW was later found hiding naked under a cot, a court has heard.
AN UNEMPLOYED man who threw a half brick from a moving car at a passing police vehicle was later found hiding naked under a cot, a court has heard.
Joshua Battersby pleaded guilty to driving while suspended, damaging property and intentionally throwing an object at a vehicle when he appeared via video link in NSW’s Wyong Local Court on Monday.
The unemployed 25-year-old, who lives at Gwandalan on the NSW central coast, was also named by police as a suspect in at least 10 other similar rock throwing incidents since November.
Battersby, who receives $630 a fortnight in Centrelink payments, was driving a grey Mazda 6 at 10.50pm on Saturday when he passed a fully marked caged police vehicle.
“Police observed a caucasian arm extend from the driver’s side window and throw an earth coloured projectile from the vehicle,” police facts tendered to court read.
“Police observed markings on this arm consistent with a tattoo on the underside of the accused’s forearm.”
The projectile struck the front off-side wheel guard of the police Holden Colorado causing paint and panel damage.
Officers turned around immediately and noted the vehicle’s numberplate before it turned into Hartog Ave.
They took photos of the debris, which officers believed was half a clay brick, and later found a similar clay residue under the driver’s side door.
The car was registered to Battersby’s girlfriend and officers attended her address where they learned she was living with Battersby at Gwandalan.
“Upon entering the home police observed the accused naked and hiding under [a cot],” the police statement of facts read.
He also had the distinctive Southern Cross tattoo on his forearm.
He was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station where he refused to participate in a recorded interview but later told police “you don’t have enough evidence, it wasn’t me”.
A police bail determination, tendered in court, revealed Battersby was “well known to police”, had an “extensive criminal history” and was charged “in excess of six times” with breaching bail conditions.
“The accused’s actions have put the safety of officers at risk,” it read.
“He is also a suspect for at least 10 similar offences, putting the community at risk since November 2016.”
He was granted bail to face sentencing on April 24.
Originally published as Unemployed man, 25, pleads guilty to throwing large rock at police car in Lake Munmorah
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