Tyrek Wendell Archer sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for spitting on police officer and registered nurse

A man who pulled a fire emergency bell at a Townsville police station in hopes of being arrested was sentenced for spitting on an officer and nurse.

Tyrek Wendell Archer sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for spitting on police officer and registered nurse. Picture: Facebook

A man who claimed he wanted to be arrested fronted court after he spat on not only a police officer but a registered nurse while at Townsville University Hospital.

Tyrek Wendell Archer recently appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court after he was arrested for spitting on people, punching holes in walls at the hospital and stealing people’s food while at Riverway.

Police prosecutor Nathan Smith said the 23-year-old was taken into police custody after authorities in Bowen received reports he had been running out in front of traffic on October 27 last year.

“He was detained under an emergency examination and was going to be transferred to hospital,” Mr Smith said.

“Police opened the car door, and he spat at an officer with spittle landing on his arm and leg.”

On a separate occasion in Townsville, the father attended the hospital and grew frustrated at the wait time and started to punch holes in the walls and swear at staff, Mr Smith explained.

Two days later, on November 28, 2023, police were called to a disturbance at Riverway’s café after Archer was swearing at customers, taking food off patrons’ plates and eating it in front of them.

The prosecutor said that on one occasion during the man’s cluster of offences, he flagged down the police asking for a lift, and once at the Kirwan Police Station, he pulled the fire alarm to activate it in hopes of being arrested.

In his last lot of offending, on November 30, 2023, Archer presented at the Townsville Hospital and started yelling at a registered nurse who was on the night shift on an important phone call. He then started yelling and swearing, calling the woman a “sl-t” and “c-nt.”

Generic images of Townsville university Hospital. Picture: Evan Morgan

“He bent forward, placing his head in the window, and spat on her arm on top of her work uniform,” Mr Smith said.

“It’s serious offending for someone who comes before you with no criminal history.

“It’s a nurse; police come with broader shoulders in receiving this type of behaviour, whereas a nurse should not. He specifically lent through the gap of a screen to be able to spit onto the nurse, that shows a level of malicious intent.”

Defence lawyer Margaret Crowther said her client, who had spent 134 days in custody, made his way to Townsville from Bowen seeking his family’s support and had been couchsurfing.

She suggested the young man was experiencing mental health concerns such as depression after his brother’s suicide, and he had presented at the hospital the evening he spat on the nurse looking for help regarding his mental health.

“I think the offending itself is in combination of mental health and intoxication,” Ms Crowther said.

Magistrate Steven Mosch emphasised the “aggravating” features of the man’s assaults.

“It’s disgusting behaviour to spit on anyone and aggravating to spit on a police officer who should be able to go to work without being spat on,” he said.

“I’m told you used foul and disgusting language towards the nurse; what’s worse is you bent forward and spat at her.

“I note your brother’s suicide. I’m sorry for that, and I understand how that would’ve triggered depression and anxiety.”

Archer responded, “Thank you, your honour”.

The man pleaded guilty to 12 charges, including serious assault of a police officer, serious assault of a public officer, public nuisance, interfering with an emergency apparatus and failing to appear in court.

He was sentenced to nine months jail, with the 134 days spent in pre-sentence custody declared as time served and will be released on parole immediately.

Originally published as Tyrek Wendell Archer sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for spitting on police officer and registered nurse