A wanted Cranebrook man who jumped across rooftops and pelted police with roof tiles during a violent standoff before spitting in an officer’s face has been jailed for 30 months.
Elijah Delaney, 25, faced Penrith Local Court via video link and was sentenced to 22 months’ non-parole for a string of offences.
The court heard Delaney was on parole and actively avoiding police when they came knocking at his Beacroft Place door about 5pm on May 10.
They were there to execute an arrest warrant after he threatened to stab his ex-partner on social media following an argument about his ongoing drug use.
A short time later, officers heard a loud bang and saw Delaney standing on his roof.
During the standoff that lasted more than an hour, Delaney, who appeared highly affected by drugs, paced across five neighbouring Department of Housing properties, pulling off roof tiles and throwing missiles at police while swearing and screaming.
More than 20 people were in the vicinity, including a number of children, while police were forced to take refuge under a car port, facts disclose.
He eventually agreed to come down and was subsequently arrested and conveyed to Penrith Police Station where he proceeded to resist police and spat in a senior constable’s face, with saliva also hitting another senior constable nearby.
Delaney later tested positive for Hepatitis C, with facts revealing police believe he knowingly had the disease.
His lawyer confirmed Delaney was in the “throes on an ‘ice’ addiction” at the time.
The court heard Delaney threatened to stab his ex-partner, who was 11 weeks’ pregnant with their second child, sending a message via Snap Chat, adding he would “kill the f**king baby”.
Magistrate Geoff Hiatt was scathing, labelling his behaviour “totally reprehensible”.
“Police have a difficult enough job as it is… without being exposed to acts of violence from those who commit them against them,” he said.
Magistrate Hiatt refused a finding of special circumstances, which allows a longer time on parole than the statutory ratio, citing Delaney’s “extensive criminal history” for his decision.
Facts reveal the police officers who were spat on had suffered mentally and psychologically, with the six-month testing period having a significant effect on the livelihood of the officers and their families.
They both had to also monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
Delaney is eligible for release on March 10, 2022.
Alena Higgins is the Weekender’s Senior News Reporter, primarily covering courts and Council issues.
