Kalgoorlie-Boulder man refused to let go of child during ‘highly volatile’ interaction with police

A Kalgoorlie-Boulder man angry at his partner after she cut his money off during a night out drinking to ensure he would return home refused to let go of his child during a “highly volatile” interaction with police.

Joel Evan Northover, 38, appeared in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing officers on May 21 just after midnight.

After an “incredibly difficult day” at work, the man had been drinking and consumed 10 to 15 beers before getting a taxi home, but was unable to pay the fare when he arrived.

The court was told his girlfriend had cut off his access to money in an attempt to get him home, but Northover confronted her about it and an argument broke out.

The police were called to the scene but the 38-year-old father refused to leave his home or let police inside to investigate an alleged domestic violence incident, or do a welfare check on the children inside.

Northover held one of his children in his arms while continuing to obstruct police and argue with his partner in what the court was told was a “highly volatile situation” before he was eventually contained and held in custody.

Defence lawyer Olivia Pusey said the incident was out of character for Northover who did not usually drink — and had not consumed alcohol since seeking help for anger management issues.

She told the court Northover was a site manager at a local gold mine and applied for a spent conviction order so he can continue to work in the industry.

Magistrate Matthew Holgate said it was an “isolated incident” where Northover had behaved poorly after a night of drinking with work mates.

“That’s an explanation, (but) it’s not an excuse,” he said.

“You can’t go on like that.”

Northover was fined $800 for obstructing police officers and ordered to pay $264.30 in court costs.

Mr Holgate said despite Northover previously having the benefit of a “rare” spent conviction order more than a decade ago, he would grant the second order because of an unlikeliness to reoffend and the nature of the mining industry.