‘I’ll bash this **** with handcuffs on’: Griffith man sentenced for intimidating policeman

Griffith man Donald Sloane, 29, was handed a nine-month prison sentence with a six-month non-parole period in Griffith Local Court on Wednesday (21 February) after being convicted of intimidating a police officer.

As he has already served time in prison, he could be released on parole on 29 April 2024.

The incident occurred on 6 September 2023 when he was being moved from a Ford Ranger police vehicle to the police station after being arrested for a separate offence.

According to the police report, Sloane shouted, “You’ll be the next f***** cop I bash the f*** out of,” and “I’ll bash this c*** with handcuffs on” before lunging towards a constable with his forehead. This caused the officer to move his head back to avoid an assault.

Sloane was heard laughing on a police body-worn video camera when the policeman flinched.

Magistrate Trevor Khan described the actions as “belligerent and aggressive” and noted the offender had a substantial previous criminal record, which included the assault of a police officer.

Sloane’s legal representative, Jack Buster, asked the magistrate to take account of his client’s difficult upbringing, which he said included child sexual abuse.

“There is no doubt that Sloane has had a hard background, and a number of incidents impacted his development,” Magistrate Khan said.

“But the purpose of sentencing also needs to consider the issue of community safety.

“Police officers are entitled to go about their business without being bashed.”

The offender pled guilty and was convicted of the charge of intimidating a police officer in the execution of his duty.

Sloane appeared at his sentencing hearing on Wednesday via video link from custody, where he has been since his arrest last September.

During the hearing, the offender was at times whistling, tapping his foot and pushing a Tupperware container into his chin.

He was sentenced to imprisonment of nine months to commence on 30 October 2023 and expire on 29 July 2024 with a non-parole period of six months.

Magistrate Khan took into account Sloane’s early guilty plea and, to some extent, the time already served when determining the start and end date of the six-month period.

“Computer says yes,” Magistrate Khan said, detailing how he worked out the dates.

“So how long have I got, bro,” the offender asked, apparently confused at how the calculations were made.

Magistrate Khan then clarified that Sloane’s non-parole period ends on 29 April 2024.

The maximum penalty for such an offence is five years in prison.

Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.