Bundy man kicked police officers

A MAN who spat on and kicked a police officer during a stint in the Bundaberg watch house has been praised by a judge for turning his life around.

Joseph Ronald Lynch, 28, was arrested in March last year for an alleged attack on his brother-in-law that saw him hold the man in a headlock before dropping him on to his back on to a concrete slab.

During his stay in the watch house, Lynch became aggressive with police, spitting a sandwich on a police officer, resisting their attempts to move him and finally lashing out and kicking an officer.

Prosecutor David Nardone conceded Lynch had mental health issues, including a personality disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.

"There is some concern that there is a level of violence on top of violence," Mr Nardone said.

Lynch pleaded guilty to charges of common assault, serious assault, obstructing police and assaulting police.

Judge David Reid said Lynch had consumed marijuana and possibly an opiate drug that led to his criminal behaviour.

Barrister Kim Bryson appeared for Lynch and said her client no longer used drugs.

"He instructs that he is drug free and has been since the commission of these offences," she said.

"He really does seem to have his life on track."

Ms Bryson said Lynch had undertaken an animal husbandry course and had even lined up a traineeship at a wildlife sanctuary.

"He intends to build a future as a carer working at the sanctuary," she said.

"He rents a house in Maryborough ... and attends church regularly."

Judge David Reid congratulated Lynch for getting his life back on track.

"Your reaction to the circumstances of the offence is admirable," Judge Reid said.

"I wish you luck in the future."

But Judge Reid also said a police assault was not a matter to be taken lightly.

"It's very important that people treat police with respect," he said.

"You were at the time in a hallucinogenic state - although you were significantly affected, you still had the capacity to know what you were doing was wrong."

Lynch was sentenced to two years probation and no conviction was recorded.