An alleged shoplifting of underwear and deodorant "spiralled out of control" into the assault of two police officers, Wollongong Bail Court heard on Saturday.
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Clapton Elton Stockley, a 47 year-old resident of the Canberra suburb of Watson, appeared in court facing several charges including two counts of assaulting police and shoplifting.
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The court heard that Stockley had visited Batemans Bay with a friend late last week to go to the beach and was in the Batemans Bay Coles supermarket on Friday morning.
According to police facts tendered in court, local police officers were carrying out a shoplifting operation that morning.
The facts alleged a loss prevention officer saw Stockley place a pair of men's underwear worth $24 into a shopping basket before later allegedly picking up a can of $4 deodorant and putting it in his pocket.
The loss prevention officer alleged Stockley was seen putting down an empty basket and leaving the store without purchasing anything.
Two passing police officers were flagged down and identified themselves to Stockley, who allegedly replied "F..k off, I don't care who you are".
He then allegedly pushed one officer and punched the other before a scramble ensued, where an officer allegedly placed Stockley in a headlock to restrain him. He later allegedly punched the second officer in the mouth.
After being taken to the police station, a search of Stockley allegedly found the underwear and deodorant, along with $30 - more than the cost of the items.
In bail court, Sergeant Tanya Pavlin opposed bail, noting the seriousness of the assault charges and that Stockley had an "extensive record" from Victoria.
With no ties to the community, Sgt Pavlin suggested Stockley may not return to court if granted bail.
Stockley's solicitor said he had moved to Canberra 14 months ago to start a rehab program, in which he was still participating.
She said he had "no clear memory of what happened" and he could not understand why he would take the items when he had money to pay for them.
He said he didn't realise the two men were police officers and thought they were trying to assault him.
She suggested a range of bail conditions, including continuing to live at his Canberra address, that he take his schizophrenia medication and that he not consume alcohol.
Magistrate Peter Ritchie refused bail, stating Stockley's Victorian record "does you no favours".
He was concerned that it was "a shoplifting matter that has spiralled out of control" and felt that were no bail conditions he could impose that could mitigate against any further similar offending, given Stockley could not understand his actions.
Stockley was refused bail and will return to Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday.
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