Derby man arrested for throwing bricks at police, escapes jail sentence after requesting imprisonment

A Derby man who personally pleaded with a Magistrate to send him to jail after he was arrested for throwing bricks at police has been sentenced to 60 hours of community work. Dean Lesley Martin appeared before Broome Magistrates Court on June 9 charged with two counts of making threats to unlawfully do an act and one count of being armed to possibly cause fear. The court heard on May 30 at around 8:15am, Martin urged his long-term partner to call Dampier police when an argument between them escalated, requesting a specific officer who he had previously been associated with. When the officer did not attend the call, Martin became extremely agitated, retrieving bricks from the back of the residence to throw at the police and their vehicle. Refusing legal aid, the 42-year-old represented himself when pleading guilty to the charges, requesting a term of imprisonment despite being strongly urged by the Magistrates to wait for a legal representative. Martin explained to the Magistrate that he was unemployed and homeless — admitting his act of violence was a plan to get arrested and to leave the Djarindjin community. After adjourning till the following Monday, Martin appeared alongside Aboriginal Legal Service lawyer Samuel Naylor, who confirmed Martin still accepted his actions and was prepared for his sentencing. After recommending Martin attend anger management counselling, Magistrate Dean Potter handed him a 12-month suspended term of imprisonment and a nine-month supervised community based order. Martin will also be required to serve 60 hours of community work.