A 27-YEAR-OLD man who assaulted a police officer has been given a nine-month probation order, after a court heard that prison would make no difference.

Jared Roy Westrupp – who has numerous previous convictions for the same offence – admitted assaulting an officer who came to his home on 3 February.

But a probation report stated that he was unlikely to benefit from either prison or a community service order.

Crown Advocate Lauren Taylor, prosecuting, said officers were called to Westrupp’s home on the evening of 3 February and found him and his mother arguing.

“Both appeared to be intoxicated. There was an allegation and the defendant was arrested,” the advocate said.

“He was handcuffed with his hands behind his back and he lunged at a police officer, attempting to head-butt him. He did not make contact.”

Westrupp initially denied assaulting a police officer but pleaded guilty to the charge on 24 May.

Crown Advocate Taylor said the defendant had numerous previous convictions, including for assaulting police officers, grave and criminal assault and breaching court orders, and had been jailed for some of his past offences.

But Advocate Ian Jones, defending, said: “It does not appear that previous custodial sentences have had any positive effect on him.”

He added: “He is determined to try to break this cycle.”

Relief Magistrate Peter Harris told Westrupp: “The root of this problem is that you were drunk.”

He said he was following the recommendations of the probation report in imposing a probation order.