Man pepper-sprayed after threatening police officer

Prosecutor Carita Thomson told the court Pearce, who was living in Tungamah, was seen holding a two litre bottle of liquor and stumbling around the intersection of Tungamah Rd and Middleton St in Tungamah, by a woman driving a vehicle on September 17.

The court heard Pearce lifted the bottle up in a threatening manner like he was going to smash the car window, was yelling and swearing at the woman and banged on the car window.

She drove off when he moved away from the vehicle.

Pearce entered a bus at about noon, where someone he knew was living.

The court heard the resident of the bus said Pearce was drunk, swearing, angry and not making sense while holding a bottle of liquor, and didn’t leave despite being asked to.

He said he saw Pearce abusing someone else in a vehicle passing by after eventually leaving the bus.

Pearce then entered the backyard of the Tungamah General Store, where he held the large glass bottle of alcohol towards someone in a threatening manner, and threatened to kill him if he didn’t get out of his way, the court heard.

A police officer attended the scene after receiving complaints from locals and told Pearce to stop.

The officer then capsicum-sprayed Pearce after he advanced in a threatening manner, waving the bottle of alcohol near his head.

He was later found by police hiding in the shower in the bus.

Pearce’s defence solicitor Geoff Clancy said alcohol was an issue for his client.

Mr Clancy said Pearce had recently moved from Queensland, and intended to move to Cobram, with no plans of leaving Victoria upon his release.

Magistrate Victoria Campbell sentenced Pearce to 14 days in prison — which has already been served — and a 12-month community corrections order.

The corrections order included conditions that he complete 120 hours of unpaid community work, undergo alcohol and drug treatment, and take part in offender behaviour programs.