A PROMINENT Tasmanian Aboriginal activist has apologised for spitting on three people last year. But Cranston Royce Mansell, 44, is not sorry for spitting on Aboriginal lawyer Michael Mansell. The South Launceston resident pleaded guilty to four counts of assault and one of destroying property in the Launceston Magistrates Court yesterday. Mansell, described by lawyer Evan Hughes as "a passionate advocate for Aboriginal men's health", committed the first assault on May 5. The disability pensioner attended Launceston Centrelink's offices to apply for an advance payment and claimed that he was told "no go sambo" by a staff member. Police prosecutor Kim Hibble said Mansell became upset, causing staff to activate a duress button. At that point, Mansell stood up and leaned over, before spitting in a staff member's face. The following month, Mansell, homeless at the time, was walking past Allgoods when he saw Michael Mansell walking with his wife. Michael Mansell turned around and Mansell spat in his face. Mansell maintained that Michael Mansell "deserved it", nodding his head when Mr Hibble told the court this. On September 29, Mansell entered Bass Labor MHR Jodie Campbell's St John St offices and became upset while talking to a staff member. The staff member told Mansell the police were on their way and Mansell spat in his face. He left the premises but later returned and delivered further abuse. Two months later he went to see his case worker at Mission Australia. One employee went into the reception area upon recognising Mansell's voice and told the other staff members to vacate the area. Mansell became aggressive and spat at one employee, before grabbing a picture off the wall and throwing it at her. He missed, but then ripped a second picture from the wall and threw that. He missed a second time and grabbed a third picture, but missed again. All three pictures - framed in glass - smashed on the ground. Mansell then left the building. But Mr Hughes, who was granted special permission by magistrate Tim Hill for his client to sit beside him at the table - rather than stand in the dock - said there were extenuating circumstances surrounding the four assaults. "He has been pursuing the truth of his brother's (interstate) death for 10 months now," Mr Hughes said. "He has not been given any sense of peace ... (this) made him angry (at the time he committed the assaults)." He said that while someone "who uses spitting (as a weapon) is clearly risking imprisonment", his client was deeply remorseful for his actions. "Mr Mansell is an intelligent and articulate man who speaks of things perhaps all of us should be listening to," Mr Hughes said. Referring to a quote taken from the movie Kenny to describe Mansell's problems with his older brother's perceived lack of family leadership - "a baker always ruins his first batch of scones" - Mr Hughes said Mansell was trying to resolve a number of personal issues. "You can't go round spitting on people, no matter what views you hold," Mr Hill interjected at one point. "With a new focus and a new direction, Cranston is looking to move forward," Mr Hughes said. "He is a man who in my submission should not be (punished with) a term of imprisonment." Mr Hill adjourned Mansell's case for sentencing on Friday.