Jail time for Whanganui man who assaulted his mother

James Dowdle was sentenced to seven months imprisonment for multiple offences, including assaulting his mother. Photo / File

A man who spat blood and saliva at police and kicked his mother has been sent to jail.

James Dowdle, 26, was sentenced to seven months imprisonment by Judge Dugald Matheson in Whanganui District Court on Monday.

He was convicted of driving with excess breath alcohol, driving while suspended, assaulting a police officer, resisting police, other assault on police, wilful damage and assault on a female.

In April , Dowdle arrived at his mother's house driving her vehicle. "His mother confronted him about taking the vehicle and tried to grab the keys out of the ignition, he then used one hand to push her to the ground, she got up and there was a struggle," Judge Matheson said.

Dowdle's mother was left with a cut lip, grazed and bruised cheek, a sore ribcage and sore legs.

Following the outburst, Dowdle punched a glass panel in the hallway, then another one near the door and smashed the back windscreen of her vehicle.

"He went on to say that he was a victim of police brutality and foul play and believed that police had a vendetta against him," Judge Matheson said.

"Although having a relatively short criminal history, he has one that clearly reflects a predilection for violent behaviour, substance abuse and disregard for court imposed sanctions."

In December Dowdle spat a mixture of blood and saliva at a police officer after an incident following a routine taffic stop.

Judge Matheson sentenced Dowdle to imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for six months and 28 days.