In court: Man's 'bizarre' behaviour at Goulburn Police Station 'too silly for words'

Caleb Souter, of Manar Street, Goulburn, pleaded guilty to resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, and refuse to comply with directions.

The 32-year-old appeared at Goulburn Local Court on June 30.

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Solicitor Sam Rowland said his client's conduct was "too silly for words".

Mr Rowland told the court Souter had "twice attended the police station wanting to apologise to the officers involved with the incident".

He said on the night of May 29, 2021 Souter had consumed six vodka martinis, two beers and 12 UDLs. He presented to the court that his client was told by a friend as he left a licensed premises in Goulburn that he was wanted by police. Mr Rowland argued Souter was "ordinarily not a drinker".

Mr Rowland said Souter then went to Goulburn Police Station where his conduct was "bizarre, concerning and completely unnecessary".

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie applied a 25 per cent discount to Souter's sentence for an early guilty plea.

She told the court police did not want to speak to Souter for any matter on the evening in question.

"[Police officers] are at the police station doing their job and in come you, clearly drunk, and straight away [you are] in a highly aggressive and agitated state slamming your hands on the counter wanting to know why police wanted to speak to you," she said.

"You became aggressive throwing things in the direction of the police officers."

Magistrate Beattie told the court that police had issued orders for Souter to leave multiple times before an officer grabbed hold of his arm and started to escort him out of the station. She said Souter had then grabbed hold of the police officer's jumper and failed to let go.

"Ultimately [police officers] had to take you to the ground and arrest you," she said.

"It's bizarre and potentially frightening for someone to behave that way."

Souter was convicted, fined $150 and received a six-month Community Corrections Order.

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