Lucas John Sipinkas in court for drugs, spitting at police

A Sunshine Coast Jehovah’s Witness has had his drug-fuelled downfall exposed in court after he spat in a cop’s mouth and was busted with cocaine.

Lucas John Sipinkas outside Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

A 19-year-old Mountain Creek Jehovah’s Witness’ drug-fuelled downfall has been exposed in court after he spat in a police officer’s mouth and was busted with cocaine.

Lucas John Sipinkas appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on January 9, where he was sentenced for 16 offences spanning from September 17 to October 6, including several drug offences and serious assault of a police officer by spitting.

The court was told Sipinkas was on bail for drug offences at the time.

Police prosecutor Brendan Newman said Sipinkas was a drug addict, and attending rehab was a condition of his bail; but there was no evidence he had gone.

Sipinkas’ crimes ranged from petty theft to placing his hands around a woman’s neck after she took his drugs away, Sergeant Newman said.

Lucas John Sipinkas outside Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

Sipinkas had also been caught with approximately one gram of cocaine.

But his behaviour escalated when he spat in a police officer’s mouth, Sergeant Newman said.

In a victim impact statement from the officer, he said he “felt sick” afterwards and attempted to spit the saliva out of his mouth.

He was later tested at hospital, but is yet to find out the results.

The disgusting act left the officer feeling like he could not fulfil his duties as a father to his two daughters, the court was told.

Defence lawyer Bruce Mumford said Sipinkas had been involved in the Jehovah’s Witness church from a young age.

His parents, who were supporting him in court, had written a detailed letter explaining their son’s downward spiral, which began when he left school at 15 after being bullied, the court was told.

Maroochydore Courthouse. Picture: Patrick Woods.

They said he began working as a labourer, but soon left that job due to bullying and allegations he was threatened with sexual assault. He then went into work as a farmhand near Gympie.

Mr and Mrs Sipinkas said that when he was 18 they noticed he begun drinking excessively and suspected he was using drugs.

Sipinkas had been diagnosed with bipolar, Mr Mumford said, and was now working at Little Sparrow Cafe in Maroochydore.

Sipinkas pleaded guilty to two charges of obstructing police in a public place while adversely affected, one of possessing property suspected of having been used in the commission of a drug offence, one of possessing dangerous drugs, one of possessing property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence under the drugs misuse act, one of committing public nuisance within a licenced premises, three of obstructing a police officer, one of serious assault of a police officer by spitting, one of obstructing police in a licenced premises, one of contravening a banning notice and two charges of stealing.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist fined Sipinkas $1000 and ordered he pay $2500 in restitution. He was also ordered to complete two community service orders of 40 hours each, and sentenced to 12 months behind bars with immediate parole.

Sipinkas had spent 22 days in pre-sentence custody, the court was told.

Originally published as Lucas John Sipinkas in court for drugs, spitting at police