Tyrone Woollett was found guilty of assaulting a police officer outside the Masonic Hotel in Cambridge earlier this year.

﻿A man who used a martial arts move to throw a Waikato police officer onto the concrete leaving him off work for six months has escaped jail. ​

But Tyronne Woollett's nine month home detention sentence came with a strong warning from Judge Robert Spear in Hamilton District Court on Monday.

"It was a reckless act with terrible consequences for the sergeant. Drunken, aggressive, stupid behaviour on your part," the judge told Woollett.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF The incident happened as police conducted alcohol compliance checks at the Masonic Hotel and Bar.

"If you breach your terms you will be brought back here and can fully expect to go to prison. You will not get a second chance."

Woollett, 34, was found guilty of obstructing and hindering police, disorderly behaviour, resisting police and injuring with reckless disregard during a judge-alone trial in October.

The incident happened outside the Masonic Hotel in Cambridge in the early hours of April 8 this year, while three police officers undertook alcohol compliance checks.

As officers dealt with crowds outside, Woollett emerged and approached a constable dealing with drunken person.

"You interjected yourself, you made a nuisance of yourself and were told to go away," the judge said.

Woollett reacted by abusing the constable before scanning the crowd for mates.

"You considered this a bit of a stage on which you could perform."

Officer in charge Sergeant Andrew Osborn then intervened and told him he was under arrest. While trying to make the arrest, Woollett, who is martial arts trained, threw Osborn onto the concrete. He later told the police northern communications in a recorded phone call that he used a martial arts move, likely to be a "hip toss, to drop the sergeant.

Osborn suffered injuries to his hand and neck. A concussion that emerged in the days following kept him off duties for the last six months.

"Police were endeavouring to maintain public order and you did your level best to disrupt their activities - that is unacceptable."

​Police prosecutor Sergeant Laurie McMaster said Woollett had shown no remorse or insight as to level of injury suffered and impact on Osborn's wider family.

Lawyer Louis Wilkins said his client regretted causing the injuries to Sergeant Osborn.

"He feels deeply remorseful, having gone through the trial he can see the impact of his offending."

Woollett was angry, drunk and interfering with police officers "for no good reason". It was "reckless and very unfortunate for everyone".

He sought a starting point of less than two years.

"He has no real risk of reoffending and can be someone that is productive in home detention under the new regime."

Judge Spear began his sentencing with 18 months jail on the reckless disregard charge.

For the other charges Judge Spear added three months before allowing two month discount for his offer of $2000 reparation. He settled on nine months home detention with conditions not to associate with the sergeant, attend alcohol and drug assessment and not to consume alcohol for six months after the sentence finishes.

Speaking after sentencing officer in charge Detective Scott Middlemiss said Woollett's actions were an alcohol-fuelled and cowardly attack on an officer doing his job and trying to keep our community safe.

"Unfortunately, violence against police officers in the course of their duties is an all too common occurrence nowadays.



