A Wollongong man has been sentenced to jail after a series of violent incidents that included assaulting a bus driver and spitting at a fellow shopper, with the court hearing his life was in "absolute disarray" due to drug use and incorrect medication.
Court Appearance and Charges
Dylan Jones, aged 31, appeared via audio-visual link at Wollongong Local Court on January 20 to be sentenced for multiple charges. He pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault, assaulting a police officer, and smoking in a public vehicle.
Bus Driver Assault at University of Wollongong
Court documents reveal that on July 23 around 6pm, Jones was on a bus on Northfield Avenue near the University of Wollongong, where he was smoking a vape. When the bus driver instructed him to disembark, Jones approached the driver and punched him in the face.
After the assault, Jones left the bus, and the driver reported the incident to the depot before continuing his route. Police later secured statements and CCTV footage, leading to Jones's arrest a week later.
Spitting Incident at Woolworths Unanderra
In a separate incident on December 21, Jones was at Woolworths Unanderra around 8am, where he was yelling, screaming, and swearing at people. A shopper began following him while police were called, and when Jones noticed the man, he turned and spat in his face, telling him to "f--- off".
The victim responded, "Hey mate, you can't be doing that," and continued to follow Jones. Police reviewed CCTV footage of the assault and soon located Jones sitting in a bus shelter on Tannery Street.
During his arrest, Jones spat on one of the officers. He was then handcuffed and transported to Lake Illawarra Police Station. Officers noted that Jones appeared heavily drug-affected, rambling and unable to keep his eyes open.
Sentencing and Legal Arguments
Solicitor Matthew Zappia told the court that his client had been "spiralling out of control" with his life in "absolute disarray" at the time, attributing this to drug use and an incorrect dosage of medication for schizophrenia.
Mr Zappia argued that the time Jones spent on remand had inspired an "extraordinary change", noting that his client had secured government housing in Warrawong. He asked the court to consider this, warning that any custodial sentence might result in the loss of this housing.
Magistrate's Decision
However, Magistrate Robert Rabbidge highlighted Jones's extensive 113-page criminal record, ruling that jail was the only appropriate response for his "very problematic" outbursts. Jones was sentenced to seven months in jail with a non-parole period of three months, making him eligible for release on March 21, 2026.
Magistrate Rabbidge advised Jones, "Look after yourself, keep taking your medication. Hopefully you'll be law-abiding when you get out."
The case underscores the severe consequences of violent behaviour in public spaces, particularly when linked to substance abuse and mental health challenges, as seen in this Wollongong court outcome.
