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Men in court for using offensive language

Three men pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court to using offensive words in separate incidents over the weekend.Colston McKenzie, 32, pleaded guilty to using offensive words and violently resisting arrest outside The Beach, on Front Street.The court heard that at around 3am on Sunday officers were on patrol on Front Street when they heard McKenzie shouting: “F**k man, this is f***ing bulls**t. F**k that, I don’t care if police are here, I’m going to f**k whoever.”Police warned McKenzie about using offensive words, but he continued to shout profanities. The officers attempted to arrest him, but McKenzie resisted being handcuffed, flailing his arms and at one point elbowing one officer in the shoulder.Appearing in court, McKenzie said he was irate because he had a bag containing an iPad stolen from him inside the bar, and that none of the profanity was meant to be directed at the officers.Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo fined McKenzie a total of $600 $300 for both offences.Also appearing in court was 44-year-old Wilbur Burt, who pleaded guilty to using offensive words on Court Street.Crown counsel Maria Sofianos told the court that at around 10.45pm on Saturday, officers were on mobile patrol driving north on Court Street when they saw Burt acting suspiciously.They approached Burt as told him they were going to search him, but Burt became aggressive and shouted: “F**k you. You guys are a**holes.”In court, Burt said he was upset because he felt he had done nothing to warrant a search other than put his hands in his pockets.“I really do have a problem with this stop and search,” he said. “I don’t see no white guys here. They don’t do that on Front Street. I felt like I have been violated.”Noting that Burt had been in police custody since his arrest, Mr Tokunbo sentenced Burt to time already served, adding: “Find another method of protesting.”Deon Pitcher also pleaded guilty to offensive words following an incident on Friday night at Casey’s Lounge.The court heard that Police were responding to a report of counterfeit currency being used at the bar and, while attending the scene, went to speak to Pitcher, who was drinking a beer.When Pitcher was asked to put down his bottle, he told officers: “What the f**k? This is a bar. Why do I have to put my beer down?”Warned not to use offensive words, Pitcher responded: “F**k you.” Officers attempted to arrest Pitcher, but he struggled to prevent the police from placing handcuffs on his wrists and continued to shout verbal abuse.Appearing in court, Pitcher pleaded guilty to both using offensive words and obstructing police, apologising for the incident.“At the time of the arrest, I was under the influence,” he said. “I’m a very shy person. I wouldn’t act like that under normal circumstances.”Mr Tokunbo gave Pitcher an absolute discharge for both offences, warning him not to come back before the court.