Nakia Mansell: Launceston grub spits in cop’s eye after meltdown

A shaken Launceston cop has told a court how his relationships with his family have been affected after an intravenous drug user “sprayed” saliva on his face and in his eye.

A shaken Launceston cop as told a court how his relationships with his family have been affected after an intravenous drug user “sprayed” saliva on his face and in his eye, with the officer now at risk of HIV and hepatitis C.

Launceston man Nakia John Mansell, 41, of no fixed address, was found guilty by Magistrates Sharon Cure on Friday of assaulting a constable at the Launceston Police Station by spitting in his face and eye.

Mansell had denied the charge on the basis that when he got “wild and worked up” he always sprayed saliva uncontrollably.

The court heard police initially came across Mansell on the morning of November 21 last year passed out on the verge outside an address at Lemonwood St, Rocherlea about 10am.

They checked his welfare and gave him a lift up the road, but later that day received information that he was barred from the Lemonwood St address they discovered him at and arrested him at Mayfield for breaching a court order.

Breaking News Breaking News Launceston man Nakia John Mansell, 41. Picture: Facebook

The victim constable gave evidence that Mansell, who was “very pleasant” during their first interaction in the day, “dramatically” changed his attitude once he was informed he would be detained for the breach.

The victim constable and another officer then determined to place Mansell into the “cage” at the station due to his aggressive demeanour.

Once inside the cage, Mansell began pacing, “rambling”, and punching the walls, at which point the victim constable said he approached the cage to within approximately one metre to calm Mansell.

Mansell then “thrust” himself in a “jerking motion” towards the officer and spat in his face.

The constable attended Launceston General Hospital to have his eye irrigated and is awaiting the results of a second blood test to ensure he did not contract HIV or hepatitis C, which the officer told the court was a live risk due to Mansell’s history of intravenous drug use.

The officer said he will not be fully cleared for a further three months.

He told the court he had been unable to have unprotected sex with his partner and he had been unable to play with his young nieces and nephews due to the risk.

A second constable also present on the day also gave evidence.

The second constable described Mansell as “pushing his head forward” to the edge of the cage and “spraying” spit on the victim constable’s face.

In his defence, Mansell told the court the victim officer was “being smart with me” and that when he got “wild and worked up”.

“Spit comes out of my mouth all the time, I don’t mean to do it but it does,” he said.

Ms Cure found the charge proven on the basis of both constables’ evidence they witnessed Mansell thrust or jerk his head and torso forward before emitting the saliva.

Mansell has been remanded in custody since the assault.

He has previously pleaded guilty to dozens of other charges, including traffic, property, drug and breach offences.

He will be sentenced on Monday.