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Andrew Scott Whipps pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to menace or harass

An aged care worker rang Policelink more than 30 times, a court has heard, using abusive language when operators answered his calls.

Andrew Scott Whipps pleaded guilty to two counts of using a carriage service to menace or harass and one count of obstructing police when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Andrew Scott Whipps pleaded guilty to two counts of using a carriage service to menace or harass and one count of obstructing police when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

An intoxicated aged care worker who made more than 30 abusive phone calls to Policelink, including telling calltakers to “suck a d**k and to “eat my nuts”, has copped a fine.

Andrew Scott Whipps pleaded guilty to two counts of using a carriage service to menace or harass and one count of obstructing police when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Balam Selvadurai said between September 23 and 24, Whipps had called Policelink 18 times.

“In each call the defendant was aggressive, harassing and offensive to the call-takers,” Sgt Selvadurai said.

Whipps had made comments including “he can suck a d**k” and “if you hang up on me I’ll sue the f**k out of you”, he said.

A few minutes later he called back and said “I’ll f**king kick you in the c**t, I’ll f**ing kick you in the c**t”.

Whipps had then called back and called the officers “retards”, threatening to sue them and then saying “you can eat my nuts”.

That kept going into the morning September 24, Sgt Selvadurai said.

On September 28, Whipps made 16 calls to Policelink, using an aggressive and harassing tone and similar language that was used in the original calls.

On September 29 at 1.15am police went to Whipps’ home and saw him sitting on his balcony, the court heard.

Whipps appeared to be talking to Policelink, Sgt Selvadurai said, and he was advised he was under arrest.

He refused to open his door and continued to verbally abuse the officers.

Andrew Scott Whipps pleaded guilty to two counts of using a carriage service to menace or harass and one count of obstructing police when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Andrew Scott Whipps pleaded guilty to two counts of using a carriage service to menace or harass and one count of obstructing police when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Whipps was given “numerous opportunities” to open the door before they forced entry and restrained him, Sgt Selvadurai said.

The officers then walked out to a police vehicle.

When police spoke to him, he expressed his frustration at being the victim of several offences committed against him, and that was why he had called Policelink on those occasions, Sgt Selvadurai said.

Defence lawyer Morgan Harris said Whipps was working as a personal care worker for aged care and dementia patients.

He said Whipps had realised the root of the issues he’d had was alcohol, which had been an issue for a number of years.

Spending the day in the watch-house to sober up had been the wake up call he needed, Mr Harris said.

He said Whipps was currently taking mood stabilisers and antidepressants and had engaged in alcohol counselling.

Mr Harris said Whipps had started drinking about 3.30pm and was drinking throughout the night when the calls were made to police.

He was remorseful for his actions and “very embarrassed,” Mr Harris said.

Magistrate John Milburn said alcohol was not a mitigating factor, but it did put Whipps’ actions in some sort of context.

Whipps was placed on a $1200 good behaviour bond for a period of 12 months.

He was also fined $800 for obstructing police.

Convictions were recorded.

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Originally published as Andrew Scott Whipps pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to menace or harass

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/fraser-coast/police-courts/andrew-scott-whipps-pleaded-guilty-to-using-a-carriage-service-to-menace-or-harass/news-story/2938f678b79b32daa501b2842b8d8256