Drunk driver who was punched and Tasered by police during arrest spared jail

A man who crashed his car while drunk and assaulted a police officer has been granted immediate parole in a Moreton Bay court.

Driver Curtis Owen pleaded guilty to nine offences, including spitting on an officer, assaulting two officers, and obstructing a firefighter who was first on the scene.

A police officer was filmed punching the offending driver before using a Taser during the arrest after a three vehicle crash in Strathpine in June last year.

READ MORE: Residents aghast at what was built across from apartments

Owen was captured on film driving through an intersection without stopping before hitting two vehicles waiting at a traffic light.

Police body camera footage was tendered as evidence showing Owen spitting on the officer and kicking him so hard the camera fell off.

9News requested a copy of that video, but the court declined its release until full submissions could be heard from Owen's lawyers

Bystanders filmed the officer striking Owen before using a Taser during the arrest.

The court heard the man had a blood alcohol reading of 0.18, more than three times the legal limit, and was still drinking from a wine bottle after the crash.

The man's lawyer told the court that Owen had been drinking heavily after the sudden death of a friend.

The court also heard that Owen had a criminal history including dangerous driving, trafficking drugs, and one offence in 2016 for assaulting a police officer.

Owen was ordered to pay the officer $750 for pain and suffering caused by spitting on him and an additional $500 in penalties.

He was sentenced by the magistrate to 15 months in jail but was granted immediate parole.

An internal police investigation into the officer's actions remains ongoing.