A young Mangerton man fled the scene of a car accident after he drove while drunk before trying to headbutt a police officer, a court has heard.
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Sean Nicholas Williams, 20, was ordered to pay $2500 and was disqualified from driving for six months when he was sentenced in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday.
Williams pleaded guilty to low range drink driving, not giving particulars to another driver, assaulting a police officer in the execution of their duty without causing actual bodily harm, and resisting a police officer in the execution of their duty.
Magistrate Darryl Pearce said Williams acted like a "yahoo" and his actions were "cowardly" when he drove away from the scene of the crash.
"You knew exactly what you did and you drove away from the accident, which was cowardly and then once police officers found you, you assaulted them," he said.
"Officers have a difficult job they are trying to carry out and then there is a yahoo like you behaving like you did.
"[Williams] was drinking and driving and with his education he should have known to stop.
"We expect drivers to be sober and if there is an accident, which do happen even when sober, to stop and exchange particulars and to not run away from the scene."
Documents tendered to court said Williams was driving his silver Subaru Forrester in Julius Street, Towradgi at 3.30am on November 19 last year after he went out drinking at Towradgi Beach Hotel.
Williams collided with a parked unattended car but failed to leave his details, instead he drove off in his damaged car.
The owner of car heard the collision and went out the front of his house to see Williams' car drive away.
The car was damaged and there was a silver shard imprinted with "Subaru" lodged in the bull bar, as well as debris over the ground.
The owner contacted police and a short time later officers found the Forrester with Williams sitting in the passenger seat holding the keys and attempting to put them in the ignition.
Officers reported Williams was slurring his words and appeared intoxicated.
A wrestle ensued while police attempted to place Williams under arrest after he returned a positive breath test reading.
Williams was handcuffed and taken to Wollongong Police Station where he returned a breath test reading of 0.077.
After the breath analysis machine was not functioning properly, Williams became aggressive and tried to leave but once he was sat back down he tensed up and had closed fists.
Police restrained Williams but he became more aggressive. As he was placed onto the ground he began kicking at police, hitting a constable in the legs before trying to headbutt the officer.
In court, Williams' lawyer Matthew Ward said his client had "made a very poor decision to drive".
He also noted Williams suffered from mental health issues including borderline personality disorder and depression, which "did not excuse his whole behaviour" but contributed to his decisions on the night.
Mr Ward said his client was seeking treatment for his mental health concerns, had no criminal history, the support of his family, was employed and was expecting a child next month which, along with going to court, had matured him.
Mr Ward also noted Williams did not strike out in an attempt to assault the officer.
Magistrate Pearce only placed limited weight on Williams' mental health issues,.
"You have got some issues but you have got to control yourself," he said.
Magistrate Pearce also noted there was no physical harm made to the officer.
Williams was ordered to pay $2500, disqualified from driving for six months and was placed on a 12 month community corrections order.
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