Former soccer star and seafood inheritor Sarantis Parissos has been sentenced to 6 years in jail for a collection of stunning offences that left two law enforcement officials injured and one questioning her future within the pressure.
The 41-year-old, who as soon as performed for Adelaide Olympic and professionally in Greece, confronted the South Australian District Courtroom for 2 separate incidents involving police in 2021 and 2022.
In January 2022, Parissos was noticed dashing in a black Vary Rover alongside Sir Donald Bradman Drive in Adelaide.
Police, supported by PolAir, tracked the automobile by way of Fulham Gardens and tried to apprehend him on Merlin Street.
As officers approached, Parissos reversed the automobile, dragging a feminine police officer a number of metres down the street earlier than fleeing the scene.
He dumped the automobile close to Grange Street and tried to flee on foot however was struck by an oncoming automobile after working into site visitors.
Sarantis Parissos (pictured) has been jailed over violent clashes with police in South Australia
As soon as a promising footballer, Parissos’s life spiralled into chaos marked by harmful run-ins with legislation enforcement
He suffered a damaged neck, whereas the feminine officer was additionally hospitalised with accidents.
In a sufferer affect assertion, the officer stated the incident left her bodily and mentally traumatised.
She described 2022 as ‘the worst 12 months of my life’ and stated she had been left ‘frozen in ache’ by the ordeal.
‘I strive my finest to get pleasure from my job, however I do not assume I can stay as a police officer as a result of trauma of this incident,’ she stated.
‘My well being is price greater than being handled like a velocity bump.’
The hit-and-run was not an remoted incident. Only one month earlier, in December 2021, Parissos stole a police automobile throughout a separate confrontation in Broadview.
Bodycam footage reveals officers trying to detain him when he ran in the direction of their patrol automobile.
Regardless of pressing instructions to cease, Parissos jumped into the automobile and drove away with a feminine passenger.
The court docket heard how Parissos (pictured together with his brother and late sister) endangered lives throughout two separate and extremely publicised police incidents
Parissos labored together with his brother on the extremely profitable Parissos Seafood in Adelaide, however the enterprise was offered in 2024
Officers concerned described ongoing trauma after confronting Parissos throughout his reckless and aggressive makes an attempt to flee
A feminine officer frantically radioed for assist, reporting the automobile had been taken and was heading east with sirens activated.
Moments later, each officers had been flung from the stolen automobile. A male officer was thrown 10 metres, dislocating his shoulder.
He later stated he feared for his life, believing he might have been ‘flung throughout a important street at velocity.’
Parissos was finally arrested and charged with a number of offences, together with harmful driving, hindering police and inflicting hurt. He pleaded responsible to all costs.
His defence lawyer, Tim Clarke, informed the court docket Parissos had been utilizing medicine on the time and acknowledged his ‘catastrophically unhealthy’ selections.
The court docket heard that Parissos had written apology letters to the injured officers.
He had beforehand labored for his household’s seafood enterprise, Parissos Seafoods, which has since been offered to Silver Bay Seafoods on November 12, 2024.
Parissos can also be a father and had proven early promise as a footballer earlier than harm minimize quick his sporting profession.
The choose’s feedback famous his full disregard for public security and the wellbeing of officers concerned.
One of many incidents noticed Parissos crash right into a stationary police automobile earlier than fleeing on foot. The occasions unfolded in full view of bystanders and had been later extensively shared through media protection.
The court docket acknowledged that whereas Parissos had proven regret, the affect on the victims was long-lasting.
The feminine officer injured within the January 2022 incident continues to endure each bodily and psychologically.
The male officer injured throughout the stolen patrol automobile incident described ongoing problems and anxiousness.
