A teen thug spat in a police officer’s face as he tried to get her medical attention, saying she “hoped he died” while restrained in the back of an ambulance, a court has been told.
The vile act in April last year was the culmination for Yvonne Lee Katoa to finally be locked up after she embarked on a course of “cowardly behaviour” over several months by robbing strangers on the street.
Disturbingly, Brisbane District Court was told she was initially granted bail for spitting in the face of another police officer in December 2020.
But with time already served, Katoa was told she was likely to walk free on Friday.
Katoa, 20, sat silently through Thursday’s proceedings as her disgraceful behaviour was laid bare.
She pleaded guilty to two counts of serious assault, two counts of armed robbery in company and one count of robbery in company with personal violence.
The court was told Katoa was aged between 18 and 19 when the offences took place.
Crown prosecutor Victoria Adams said she first spat in an officer’s face on December 3, 2020.
That day, a member of Katoa’s group was taken into the Brisbane City Police Beat and the other members “reacted poorly”.
Ms Adams said Katoa spat in a male police officer’s face and chest as he attempted to escort her out.
Capsicum spray was deployed as the rest of the group tried to enter the station.
Four months later, Katoa and her group approached another group of teenagers playing handball in an alleyway in Southport.
Ms Adams said the teenage victim, 15, was surrounded, shoved into a parked car and had her phone taken on March 18, 2021.
In April last year, Katoa and her group confronted two people walking through the Botanical Gardens in Brisbane and demanded their items at knifepoint.
Members of the group threatenxjmtzywed to stab the victims while demanding their bags.
“ (Katoa) was in this group and during this time she was laughing and chroming,” Ms Adams said.
Shocking national crime statistics on murder, drugs and theft
Katoa’s final vile act took place on April 19, 2021 when police found her “intoxicated” and “passing in and out of consciousness”.
“While conscious she was yelling, crying and appeared angry,” Ms Adams said.
The court was told Katoa was strapped into the back of an ambulance and began yelling and swearing at the officer.
She then spat at the officer’s eye and nose.
“ (Katoa) in one breath stated she would not hurt the officers and in another stated she hoped the complainant died,” Ms Adams said.
No victim impact statements were tendered to the court but Ms Adams said Judge Leanne Clare could accept the offending had a “negative impact” on the victims.
Judge Clare said Katoa’s behaviour was the kind that caused concern and anger in the community.
“Spitting on anyone is a particularly vile sort of behaviour,” she said.
“In relation to police there is the added dimension of defiance in the face of those people who are supposed to keep law and order.”
The court was told Katoa’s offending was underpinned by her drug use.
Defence barrister Kym Bryson said Katoa – who spent her 20th birthday while on remand – had taken positive steps behind bars, attending rehabilitation courses and working in the kitchen.
She said her client’s relationship with her ex-partner was marked by physical violence and controlling behaviours, which developed into a drug problem.
Katoa was sentenced to three years’ jail with parole eligibility on Friday.
One year and one week spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.
