Albany teen granted spent conviction after spitting on police on drunken night out

An 18-year-old Albany woman landed herself in trouble after assaulting and spitting at police officers on a drunken night out.

Courtney Alexandra Reilly Robertson appeared in Albany Magistrate’s Court last Thursday, pleading guilty to three counts of assaulting police and two counts of obstructing police in the early hours of October 31.

Police prosecutor Sgt Mike Russell told the court about 2.20am on October 31, Robertson was sitting in a police car when she got into an argument with officers after they refused to check on the welfare of her friend.

“The accused has continued arguing about the welfare of her friend ... the accused took hold of an officer’s police hat and removed it aggressively,” Sgt Russell said.

After making threatening remarks to police, Robertson moved to the back of the vehicle and found a police torch, Sgt Russell told the court.

After requests from police to leave the torch alone, Robertson spat at the officer, with her saliva landing on the officer’s neck and shirt.

About 3.45am that day, she was taken to the police lock-up.

“The accused was spoken to about removing the cord from her jumper and pants, but refused,” Sgt Russell said.

Police removed her from the cell and restrained her while an officer cut the cord from her clothing.

Robertson spat at police again and verbally abused them, calling an officer a “paedo”.

Defence lawyer Wendy Stewart told the court her client was “heavily intoxicated” and regretted her “disgusting and disgraceful” behaviour.

On reviewing CCTV footage, Ms Stewart said her client was “disgusted” and “horrified” at what she had done

Sgt Russell said police were “concerned for the amount of liquor she consumed” and were taking her home.

Magistrate Dianne Scaddan said Roberston’s level of intoxication raised concerns with police.

“The police are not here to be your taxi,” she said.

The magistrate touched on the heightened anxiety around transmitting diseases through spitting following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robertson was granted a spent conviction and placed on a six-month community-based order.