Laken Francis Tui Robinson: 24-year-old FIFO worker given 8 months in prison suspended for spitting at police

A Mandurah FIFO worker says he was blackout drunk when he spat at a police officer who was trying to break up a brawl last month. Laken Francis Tui Robinson, 24, pleaded guilty in Mandurah Magistrates Court last Tuesday to assaulting a public officer, obstructing public officers, disorderly behaviour in public, and disorderly behaviour in police lockup. The officer who was spat on will have to wait three months to find out if he’d contracted a communicable disease from the assault. Police Prosecutor First Class Const. Kat Anderson told the court police were called to a brawl at Little Stiller distillery on October 25 at 10.50pm. After breaking up the brawl and moving on Robinson and five other men, police were called to reports of another fight at Mary Street. There they found Robinson fighting two more men. When the accused noticed the police, he aggressively approached them while shouting obscenities. Police took Robinson to the ground where he began swinging his body and kicking. “He hocked up phlegm from the back of his throat and spat in the police officer’s face,” Const. Anderson said. More police were called to help subdue Robinson and place him in leg restraints. “The accused was actively kicking and abusing police, he called the officers maggots and c*nts,” Const. Anderson added. Robinson was taken to Perth Watch House and held overnight. Robinson was represented by a duty lawyer who said he was horrified and disgusted at his behaviour. She said Robinson was celebrating his birthday when but couldn’t remember what happened as he was “blackout drunk”. Magistrate Leanne Atkins said police officers had a duty to stop “abhorrent” behaviour by people like Robinson. “You subjected the officer and others to verbal abuse, you were screaming obscenities and took up police resources because you can’t control yourself as a man of 24,” Ms Atkins said. “No police officer deserves to be spat at. Spitting is meant to show disgust and disrespect and you claim no officer deserves to be disrespected and assaulted. “You earn $3556 in wages a week and I’m not sure how much you’ve wasted on drink. “You FIFO workers get home, lose control and act in a disgusting way.” Ms Atkins said Robinson’s references spoke highly of him, saying he was empathetic, trustworthy and a role model to his peers. “Not to the people you assaulted,” she added. Robinson was given a global fine and sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for a year. “You’ve had a very successful career at a young age and that has tricked your brain into thinking you’re above the law,” Ms Atkins finished.