By CHERIE DONNELLAN
A 27-YEAR-OLD mother must write a letter of apology to a police officer for verbally abusing him, a Geelong magistrate ordered on Wednesday.
Kerri-Ann Elkin, of Eagle Pde, Norlane, was also sentenced to a month in prison, suspended for seven months, for abusing the policeman and traffic offences.
Police pulled Elkin over riding an unregistered motorcycle without a licence or helmet on Sparks Rd, Norlane, on 28 November.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Ian Kevin told the court Elkin verbally abused the arresting officer with a series of expletives.
Sen Const Kevin said Elkin told the officer she was riding without a helmet “because it’s not too hot”.
She had no excuse for riding unlicensed, the court heard.
Elkin was carrying an adult male passenger who was also without a helmet.
Magistrate John Hardy said Elkin’s abuse of the officer was “unfair”.
“They’re just doing their job,” Mr Hardy said. “They don’t need to be confronted with your attitude.”
Elkin’s Legal Aid lawyer, Nathan Goetz, said she was “apologetic to the community” for her aggressive behaviour.
Mr Goetz said Elkin suffered anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder and was on medications including methadone, Valium and sleeping tablet Imovane.
Her deceased partner’s parents had custody of her child and she lived “independently”, he said.
Elkin lived on a $450-a-fortnight disability support pension.
She reacted badly because police cancelled her learner’s permit, which was her only form of identification, Mr Goetz said.
The court heard Ms Elkin previously one month of a four-month jail term for similar charges including riding without a licence and riding without a helmet.
Mr Hardy also ordered Elkin to pay a $200 fine and serve a 12-month good behaviour bond.
