Calum Stirling Robertson pleads guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to consuming liquor in public, obstructing police

A Roma man who fled from police on foot twice and drunkenly spewed racist slurs at an officer has landed back in court for his behaviour.

A 23-year-old Roma father who had to be handcuffed and detained after he tried to flee from police twice while hurling racist slurs at an officer has appeared in court.

Calum Stirling Robertson pleaded guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to consuming liquor in a public place and obstructing a police officer while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.

Police prosecutor Mathew Donnelly said just after midnight on January 8 patrolling police spotted a group of men walking along McDowall St, Roma.

The court was told police watched Robertson drink from a half-empty 600ml bottle of bourbon and cola.

“Police pulled up beside the defendant and yelled out to him several times to cease drinking, however he continued to walk away from police and purposely drinking the rest of the bottle,” Mr Donnelly said.

“Police got out of their car and approached the defendant who was belligerent and arguing with police and being ‘annoying’.

“Police attempted to resolve the issue by way of an infringement notice, however he then attempted to run away - he was immediately caught and placed under arrest.

Calum Stirling Robertson pleaded guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to consuming liquor in a public place and obstructing a police officer.

“Police walked him to the back of the police vehicle, he continued to behave in a loud and disorderly manner denying he had done anything wrong.

“He attempted to escape police custody however was caught a second time and subsequently handcuffed and remained rude and belligerent.

“He was calling the police ‘dogs’ and targeted racial slurs such as ‘go back to your own country’.

“One of the Roma officers is of Filipino origin, I believe he’s born in Australia but his background is Filipino.”

The prosecutor confirmed Robertson was transported to the watch-house and released on bail.

“It’s just a pattern, it’s not the worst behaviour,” Mr Donnelly said.

“It’s a case of he was drinking, and the more you drink the more you realise you need some more and he continued.”

Defence lawyer Claire Graham said her client had a problem with alcohol but had finally found a way to manage his behaviour.

“He started drinking alcohol when he was only ten years of age,” Ms Graham said.

“There’s also been some drug issues, I’m instructed.

“He went into rehab, he was only there for a week. He found it wasn’t for him.”

Ms Graham said Robertson had managed to “stay off the drugs” and has found “a different way of rehabilitation” through boxing at the PCYC.

“He said that he’s feeling well and put on weight and said he’s too tired to go out,” Ms Graham said.

Magistrate Shane Elliott said judging from the defendant’s criminal history, he had a serious problem with alcohol.

“You were in the court last year for urinating in a public place, obstructing police, contravening a requirement, being intoxicated in a public place. Really that tells me there’s an issue with alcohol,” the magistrate said.

“To your credit you’ve gone away and done something, you’ve gone to AA and went into a rehabilitation course.”

Robertson was convicted and not further punished for consuming liquor in a public place and was handed a mandatory 40 hours community service order for obstructing a police officer.

No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Calum Stirling Robertson pleads guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to consuming liquor in public, obstructing police