A MAN wanted by police told officers he was going to “put a bullet in them” before he was arrested hiding under a West Tamworth home.
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Nathanial Penn had been out of prison for just two months before he started re-offending.
The 28-year-old had a number of arrest warrants hanging over his head when police eventually traced him to Thompson Cr earlier this month.
He was captured after hiding from officers and hauled before Tamworth Local Court where the extent of his offending record was revealed.
Tamworth Local Court was told Penn had been in and out of jail through much of his life and had battled a drug addiction for many years.
Solicitor Fiona Hadlington said Penn started using drugs when he was just 11 years old.
“I think he is institutionalised,” she said.
“At 28, that is a sad and tragic case.”
Penn pleaded guilty to a string of charges and told his solicitor he was lost and needed help.
“It’s a cycle of behaviour which just keeps repeating itself,” Ms Hadlington said.
“Upon release, he reverts back to what he knows, his drug addiction.”
Oxley Target Action Group officers went to a Thompson Cr home on July 15 after a tip that Penn was hiding out at the location.
Police questioned the residents at the home who denied Penn was there before two officers saw him run out the back and duck down, before crawling underneath the house.
Police scaled the fence into the backyard before they yelled at Penn to “get out ... come out now.”
Officers moved in under the house and found Penn hiding behind a brick wall and tyre.
According to police facts, Penn then sat up and lunged towards an officer before capsicum spray was deployed at him, while he continued to yell and kick out at police.
“F*** off, c***, I’ll put a bullet in youse,” Penn yelled at police.
Penn’s threats continued before he was eventually wrestled to the ground and placed in handcuffs.
In sentencing, the court was told Penn was “withdrawing from drugs” when he intimidated police.
“He is here to accept responsibility for what he’s done,” Ms Hadlington said.
Penn was convicted on several outstanding warrants with Magistrate Michael Holmes noting one of the charges was a “particularly serious matter”.
He was jailed for 18 months but could be eligible for parole in 12 months, with the sentences to be served concurrently.
Penn was visibly upset throughout the sentencing, before jumping up in the dock and unleashing an emotional outburst towards the magistrate.
“You’ve never helped me,” Penn yelled, before he was led away by Corrective Services officers.
He will be eligible for parole in July next year.