A Tingha man will remain behind bars after being found guilty on a string of charges including threats to steal a police officer's gun and shoot him at Inverell Hospital.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Thirty-three-year-old Vincent Campbell, also known as Vincent Wadley, was charged with two counts of interfering with a police officer in the execution of their duty, and one charge for assaulting an officer.
He was also sentenced for a domestic violence-related assault, drug possession and a breach of a bond.
READ ALSO
Campbell appeared before Inverell Local Court via audio visual link from Cessnock Correctional Facility.
Magistrate Michael Antrum noted Campbell appeared to be clutching a crucifix as the court heard his intention to "adopt the Christian faith" while there.
On May 12, facts tendered to court outlined hospital medical staff had to call the police due to Campbell's behaviour.
Four officers arrived to find him "highly agitated". At one point he repeatedly kicked the metal bed, and police thought he'd break it and damage surrounding medical equipment.
Several officers attempted to contain and restrain him after his refusal to stop. He headbutted one officer's knee causing "immediate and lasting" pain.
He said "I'll get that gun off you and shoot you ... I'm quick like a snake".
To another, he warned "just wait till I see you off duty ... I'll get you c***."
Medical staff deemed that Campbell's actions were "behavioural and not mental health-related".
Campbell's solicitor Stephen Collins, said his client "uses his mouth as a weapon".
"He says things, they have an impact but he doesn't carry out those threats."
Mr Collins said he'd "given thought to adopting a Christian faith while in custody", to gain solace both in jail and upon his release.
He asked for Campbell's "lengthy" term be carried out in the community - to save him from "languishing in a prison system that is currently very bad" with COVID-19.
But magistrate Antrum said Campbell's history was littered with entries of assaulting and resisting police.
"People in authority have had to bare the brunt of Mr Campbell's anger," he stated.
Campbell was sentenced to two terms of nine months of full-time custody for interfering with a police officer's duty, with a non-parole period of six months.
He was sentenced to 11 months in jail for the assault, with the same non-parole period.
For the domestic stalk and intimidate charge, he was placed on an 18-month community corrections order and an associated AVO was finalised.
The possession of 0.75 grams of cannabis netted him a conviction without further penalty.
His community corrections order bond was revoked and replaced with another for 18 months.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark inverelltimes.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @inverelltimes
- Follow us on Instagram @inverelltimes
- Follow us on Google News
