Samuel Thomas Geoffrey Pratten, aged 22, of Prattens Road, Molong, was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond for two counts of assault police and one of resisting, when the matter was transferred to Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday.

At about 2am on December 10, 2017, security at an Orange pub saw Pratten and another man on the roof of the motel next door and called police.

The pair came back down at the request of officers and initially Pratten was cooperative until he refused to present identification.

He attempted to run away when placed under arrest but was held back. Pratten began thrashing about and swinging his arms, hitting the two officers faces one suffering a laceration to their top lip and a bleeding nose.

Pratten broke free in the struggle and fled. Police contacted his family who convinced him to turn himself in.

Officers noted in the facts submitted to the court that the defendant didn’t show any remorse while in custody.

His solicitor, Andrew Rolfe, told Mudgee Local Court that his client had intended to stay at the motel but his room was booked by a friend in their name. He then made the “immature decision” to climb onto the roof.

Magistrate Jacqueline Trad denied the defence request to have the matter dealt with without a criminal conviction being recorded. She said “there is nothing presented to me that explains this behaviour” and “no extenuating circumstances”.

Her honour also said “the conduct that led to the assault offences was persistent...there was a purpose to it” and “the police were there to deal with a serious issue of someone on the roof, part of their obligation to the public”.