A DRUNKEN Melbourne Cup reveller who turned on police after one of his mates was asked to leave a Muswellbrook hotel punched a police officer so hard he needed reconstructive nose surgery.
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Nathanael David Watt, 25, of Prince Street, Fennell Bay, will undergo an intensive corrections order assessment before being sentenced on three charges, including assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty occasioning actual bodily harm.
Facts tendered to Newcastle Local Court yesterday said Watt had been with mates at a Muswellbrook hotel celebrating Melbourne Cup day last year when one of his friends was told by police he was drunk and had to leave.
‘‘At the time, the offender was standing behind police saying words to the effect of ‘you can’t do that, you’re being f---ing unreasonable, we can take him home’,’’ the facts read.
When Watt was asked to leave as well, he replied: ‘‘Don’t f---ing touch me, what the f--- are you doing?’’
When the parties got outside, Watt threw a beeper used to collect food inside the hotel at one of two officers, hitting him in the throat.
He was chased down before he got back up on his feet and punched another officer in the nose, fracturing the nasal bones, which needed surgery.
Watt apologised to police at the scene but could not be interviewed at the police station because of his level of intoxication and aggression.
A letter from Watt, which had been tendered to the court, read: ‘‘... the unfortunate outcome was the result of alcohol consumption and my misunderstanding of a situation between the officers and a friend I was with on the day.
‘‘I should not have got involved... I am aware that unintentionally, my actions have caused much pain and inconvenience to the officers and their families, for which I am deeply regretful and remorseful.’’
Watt will be sentenced in August.