"You've been in jail before for these types of incidents, so you know what it leads to. It wouldn't take much for the court to decide the community needs a break from you."
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These are the words Magistrate Jacqueline Trad gave to a Griffith man before her for crimes he committed while under the influence of alcohol.
Vaiutumalama Junior Palanite appeared before her in Griffith Local Court on Wednesday charged with behaving in an offensive manner in a public place, and hindering police officers in the execution of their duty.
Police were called to the Kebab Palace on Kooyoo Street at around 11pm March 17. They were told by a staff member he had been asked to leave, and became aggressive, throwing items around the store and yelling, with other patrons leaving as a result.
It doesn't sound like a great day's work.
- Magistrate Jacqueline Trad.
When police tried to enter the shop, Palanite blocked their path and refused to move out of the way, saying "I'm not under arrest, I don't have to".
He was placed in a wrist lock, and initially refused to give his details to the police for which he was arrested for identification, as well as for his offensive behaviour. When being directed into the police vehicle, he kicked out at a officer and refused to take his foot out of the doorway. He removed it when more officers came to the scene. He was placed in the time out and not offered an interview due to his level of intoxication.
Appearing unrepresented, Ms Trad gave Palanite several opportunities to reread the facts, to which he declined. When asked what he had to say for himself, he replied "I'm just sorry it happened."
He detailed a long day of work, after which he had gone "too hard too fast" on the alcohol.
"It doesn't sound like a great day's work," Ms Trad noted.
"There are some people who quite frankly, alcohol changes their behaviour or brings out what is there already."
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She said that in a small town such as Griffith would hear about this behaviour, which in turn would earn an undesirable reputation.
While qualifying that the current acts were not serious enough for him to be sent to jail, she said if he was before court again for further incidents like this she could "almost guarantee" jail would be the appropriate course of action.
Palanite was convicted of both charges, and given a nine month and 12 month Community Corrections Orders. He was ordered to be fingerprinted and photographed by the police.
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