Robert James Ryan: Geraldton man who stabbed police officer in face with syringes, stabbed ex-partner jailed

A Geraldton man who stabbed a police officer in the face with two syringes and his ex-partner in the shoulder with a knife has been jailed for six years. Robert James Ryan appeared in Geraldton District Court on Monday on six charges arising from the two attacks. The court was told the 49-year-old was hiding under a pile of clothes on December 29, 2019, when Geraldton officers conducted a welfare check after he threatened self-harm online. According to his lawyer, Xavier Sellathambu, he had used methamphetamine and was in a “paranoid state” when the police arrived, hiding in a cupboard under clothes. Prosecutor Paul Dixon said when found, Ryan struck a constable in the chin with two syringes causing deep puncture wounds before pushing the officer into a wall. “Assaults on public officers are very serious,” he said, adding the officer had to suffer while waiting to find out if there was any blood-borne disease transmission. Months later, while on bail for that offence, Ryan broke into the Salvation Army refuge where his ex-partner of five years was hiding with her three children on March 27, 2020. Mr Dixon told the court he smashed a window to the bedroom and entered the property armed with a 20cm kitchen knife intending to argue with her. “Once inside the offender rushed at the victim who was unarmed … then held a knife to her throat,” he said. The pair fought before the woman received a deep puncture wound in her left shoulder and Ryan fled the scene. In court, Mr Sellathambu said Ryan was deeply disgusted and ashamed at his behaviour, but had not intended to stab either person. “He regrets his actions and will accept the consequences of what he has done,” he said. Judge Mark Herron did not seem convinced saying “despite your pleas of guilty, I have reservations to whether you are truly and genuinely remorseful for your offending”. “It is likely your ex-partner will never feel safe from you because of your actions. Your behaviour was unpredictable and violent and will affect these people forever.” Ryan was sentenced to a total term of six years imprisonment and will be eligible for parole in April 2023.