A MOUNT Gambier woman has been ordered to do community service after being sentenced for becoming “exceptionally confrontational” with police when they executed a drug warrant at a relative’s home.
Elizabeth Judith Anne Grindley, 47, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Tuesday to be sentenced for resisting police.
The prosecution said police attended the house of the relative to execute a drug warrant.
Grindley stormed into the house and yelled expletives at officers, telling them to “get out”.
The prosecution described the defendant’s behaviour as “exceptionally confrontational”.
They said Grindley snatched the warrant out of the police officer’s hand, damaging it in the process.
Police arrested the defendant who resisted and she was not interviewed due to her aggressive nature.
Grindley told the court she acted like she did because of her connection to the person.
“There were a lot of officers and the person was distressed about it,” Grindley said.
“I do not like the police, I have an issue with them.”
Magistrate Teresa Anderson said Grindley’s behaviour significantly hindered the police from what they were doing.
“You ripped the warrant out of the police officer’s hand and behaved aggressively,” Magistrate Anderson said.
“You dislike the police and did not like the fact they were there.”
Magistrate Anderson accepted the police presence causing stress to her relative was her motivation for acting like she did.
“However, police are entitled to have drug warrants, they are entitled to have search warrants and you are not entitled to behave like that,” Magistrate Anderson said.
The defendant was convicted and ordered to complete 80 hours of community service within six months.
