Teen pleads guilty to biting cop

A TEENAGER who bit a police officer in a fit of rage while being arrested suffers from “anger blackouts”, a court has heard

• Woman who allegedly bit police officer during arrest fronts court
• Police officer allegedly bitten by woman during arrest

A TEENAGER who bit a police officer in a fit of rage while being arrested suffers from “anger blackouts”, a court has heard.

Shalayna Lechleitner, 18, pleaded guilty in Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday to assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and being disorderly in a public place.

About midnight on Feb­ruary 13, Lechleitner was approached by police in Todd Mall while in a group of women who had been drinking.

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The court heard she repeatedly verbally abused the police officers and when they tried to arrest her, she tried to break free and swung her arms around hitting a police officer in the chest and bit him.

Defence lawyer Jacob Henderson said Lechleitner “lost control of her temper” after police told her to “get back” when she asked for her bag back.

Mr Henderson said there were “large portions” of facts the defendant didn’t agree with or didn’t remember; she had informed him she suffered from “anger breakouts”.

“She was quite drunk … I’m told they met with girls they didn’t know. The defendant has then left that group for a period of time and rejoined when the police were there.”

Mr Henderson said the defendant “appeared surprised by her actions while watching police-worn CCTV footage”.

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“The defendant became upset and embarrassed and felt shame, and said she didn’t remember. She expressed remorse for what she’d done to the officer.”

Mr Henderson said Lechleitner had no prior convictions. “There are great prospects of rehabilitation … she is taking the matter very seriously.”

Prosecutor Leah Tomkins said the police officer faced a term of waiting to see test results from the bite. Sentencing was adjourned to March 10.

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