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Fine for man who damaged police car

A man who lashed out at police officers and booted a patrol car door after he was thrown out of a Front Street bar was fined a total of $5,000 and given a two-year conditional discharge yesterday.

Magistrates’ Court heard that police got involved after they spotted Ross Smith, 39, involved in an early hours scuffle with security staff outside Hamilton’s Bermuda Bistro.

Smith, of St George’s, was heard to shout and swear as a woman tried to pull him away from the scene.

Officers warned him to leave the area, but Smith refused and tried to push his way back into the bar.

He was arrested after a struggle where officers were forced to use a Taser to subdue him.

But when Smith was put in the back of a patrol car he continued to lash out and kicked an officer in the face and the patrol car door.

Smith pleaded guilty to charges of affray, violently resisting arrest and wilful damage in connection with incident, which happened on February 17 just after 3am.

Alan Richards, for the Crown, suggested a total of $4,000 in fines for the offences, plus a restitution order for the damaged car door.

Rick Woolridge, who appeared for Smith, said a conditional discharge would be appropriate.

Mr Woolridge added: “He didn’t drink much, but at that point in time he hadn’t been drinking and he found himself completely hot.”

Smith apologised to the court and to the officers involved.

He said: “That night I drank more than my body could handle and I could handle. I was out of order and belligerent. I’m responsible for my actions.”

Magistrate Maxanne Anderson gave Smith a two-year conditional discharge for the offences of affray and violently resisting arrest.

But she recorded a conviction against him for causing wilful damage and ordered him to pay a $500 fine and $500 for the damage to the police car.

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