Travis Liam Humphries, 24, narrowly avoids prison for spitting on police officer outside Bunbury nightclub

A South West man has been sentenced after spitting in a cop’s face and trying to fight the officer after a night out at a Bunbury watering hole — an act the magistrate labelled a “disgusting” and a “serious example” of assault on an officer. The remarks come as the WA Police Union earlier this month released shocking figures highlighting a huge increase in violence WA cops are facing across the State. Travis Liam Humphries, 28, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Monday for sentencing on the December incident, Magistrate Benjamin Tyers labelling the man’s actions as “disgusting” and emphasising the risk of disease involved. “Not only have you spat on an officer but suggested that he fight you... that is not only disgusting , but also carries with it the risk of disease,” he said. At 1am on December 12, Humphries caught the attention of police when he was shouting at a female along Victoria Street just outside Fitzgerald’s Irish Bar. Police say the man became “aggressive” when he was approached by an officer, shouting at the victim and trying to encourage him to fight saying “come on”. When the officer did not take part, Humphries pooled up saliva in his mouth before spitting directly into the officer’s face. The WA Police Union data showed the number of assaults on WA Police Statewide has trebled from 77 in the March 2017 quarter to 232 in the March 2023 quarter. Twenty per cent of those incidents involved officers being spat on, which leaves the police officers facing a months-long wait as they undergo medical testing to find out if the assault has led to them contracting blood-borne diseases. WA Police Union acting president Paul Gale said the data suggested a rise in anti-authority attitudes in WA, which could have devastating effects if left unaddressed. “The spike in police officer assaults suggest that there is a rise in anti-authority attitudes in Western Australia,” he said. “If left unaddressed, these attitudes can result in harmful, and potentially fatal outcomes.” Magistrate Tyers handed down a seven month suspended imprisonment term as a sentence for the Bunbury assault, noting that since pleading guilty to the assault, Humphries has completed the alcohol and other drug diversion program to help in combating his binge drinking problem. Humphries’ lawyer told the court he had been out drinking with his family and partner when the pair got into an argument — attracting the attention of patrolling officers. The court was told the man’s partner had wanted to go home however Humphries’ wanted to stay out and the pair were loudly shouting at one another, with Humphries grabbing and snapping his partner’s handbag strap. The man’s duty lawyer said it was this previous frustration that caused him to lash out against the officer.