Spitting on officer lands jail sentence

The officer's victim-impact report said the incident had placed "undue stress" on his family because he needed two hepatitis tests. Photo / Thinkstock

A would-be car thief who spat in a policeman's face has been sent to jail.

Tama Wade, 36, was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court this week to a total of 15 months' prison after previously pleading guilty to unlawfully attempting to take a motor vehicle, assault on a police officer and driving while disqualified.

Judge James Weir said Wade went into an elderly man's carport early on August 18 and got into his secured car.

The man's son woke and went out to the carport. He overcame Wade and held him on the ground while the car's owner called police.

Officers arrived and took Wade to hospital for an assessment of injuries he'd suffered. While there, he abused staff and tried to leave the emergency department, ignoring a police officer's instructions to remain on the bed.

"You turned and spat at him square in the face," the judge said.

The officer's victim-impact report said the incident had placed "undue stress" on his family because he needed two hepatitis tests.

"In my view, the police are entitled to be treated with respect," Judge Weir said.

The main aggravating factor was Wade's eight pages of convictions, including 41 dishonesty offences, Judge Weir said.

He sentenced Wade to 12 months' prison for the attempted unlawful taking of the car, two months for the assault on the officer and one month for driving while disqualified.

The judge noted Wade had never held a driver's licence but continued to drive.