A young man who was arrested in broad daylight out the front of the busiest shopping centre in Batemans Bay has been warned he could go to jail.
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James Dickinson, 25, of Moruya, was arrested near the Batemans Bay Village Centre on April 15 this year and charged with using offensive language in a public place, assaulting a police officer, resisting a police officer, and intentionally damaging property.
He pleaded guilty to all charges in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, July 12.
According to police facts, Mr Dickinson was observed walking south along Perry Street while playing "extremely loud" music from a large purple speaker just before 2pm on April 15. He was also holding a glass stubby of Victoria Bitter.
There were "several" people leaving and exiting the Village Shopping Centre and at a nearby bus stop, and police said people were looking at him due to his behaviour.
He was approached by a police officer, at which point Mr Dickinson became belligerent and argumentative..
When he was asked to turn his music down, he said "I don't give a f*** what you say Mr f******* policeman".
The facts state Mr Dickinson was warned to discontinue his offensive language, but he continued swearing at the officers..
He then charged at a police officer at which point he was placed under arrest.
During the arrest, Mr Dickinson threw a screw-off bottle cap at one of the police officers, and continued resisting until police managed to control him to the ground.
Once in handcuffs, Mr Dickinson called the officers "f****** dogs".
While in the holding cells at Batemans Bay police station, Mr Dickinson used another bottle cap and a 20 cent coin to deliberately scratch the Perspex, and when he was told he would be going to court he said "I'm not going to court again, you better watch yourself out there. Open the dock and I'll punch you in the head.
In court, Magistrate Doug Dick indicated a sentencing assessment report prepared for Mr Dickinson was "unfavourable".
"You're looking at going to jail with your attitude," he said.
"Your report is most unfavourable, which doesn't allow me to consider an intensive corrections order.
"The court must have regard to public safety - the report is very hard hitting, it says you promised to do a number of things you haven't done and says you refused to take responsibility for your actions."
Mr Dickinson's lawyer acknowledged the poor report, but asked for a two-week adjournment to obtain further material.
"In the three months since he was arrested and charged, he's done a lot of things to get himself back on track," he said.
"He's commenced a drug detox program under a doctor, and he's booked in for drug and alcohol counselling.
"We're dealing with a relatively young man who, if he was to receive jail, could be sliding into institutionalisation."
Magistrate Dick adjourned the matter for sentencing on July 26.