A Tasmanian man who broke a police officer’s nose and spat in another’s face has been jailed for what a judge called “deliberate, disgusting and dangerous” behaviour.
Levi James Rock, 21, was last week sentenced to 12 months behind bars after pleading guilty to assaulting two officers at Launceston’s Riverbend Car Park in January 2023.
The court heard Rock, who had been drinking, became enraged and abusive when police asked him to leave the area during an argument.
When officers tried to restrain him, he violently resisted. Rock slammed his head backwards into a male officer’s face, breaking his nose.
The officer required surgery, was left with black eyes, couldn’t return to work for weeks and still suffers nosebleeds more than two years later.
Rock also spat at a female officer, with saliva hitting her face. She was forced to undergo disease testing as a precaution.
Supreme Court Justice Michael Brett described the body-worn camera footage of the incident, which involved then-19-year-old Rock, as “chaotic”.
“The assaults by you amounted to serious violence,” he said, noting police officers on the job regularly put themselves at risk.
“The officers on this occasion were simply carrying out that duty and your response to them was appalling.”
The court was told Rock had a difficult upbringing, marred by the murder of his father and the death of his mother. While he had no prior criminal record, Justice Brett said that was no excuse.
“You must bear responsibility for the consequences of your conduct. The imposition of a sentence of imprisonment is the only appropriate sentencing option,” he said.
Rock was handed a 12-month sentence, with six months to be served behind bars. The remaining six months will be suspended for two years after his release.
