An incident over the weekend in Sydney’s south highlights the unpredictable nature of some people, as an unwanted patron finds himself facing nine new charges.
Around 7pm on Saturday a 24-year-old local man got into an argument with bar staff at a Riverwood hotel when denied further service. According to witnesses, he sprayed the remainder of his drink over the counter and staff, fleeing the scene before security could apprehend him.
Police arrived some time later, seeking the pub’s assistance in finding the man, as he had later glassed someone at the nearby Riverwood sports club.
Surprisingly, he returned to the hotel on Sunday afternoon, whereupon staff recognised him and again called the police, who arrived promptly. Again he fled, making it to the rear carpark, where he was bailed up by a waiting male probationary constable.
As the constable attempted to take control of and arrest him, the man allegedly grabbed the officer’s capsicum spray out of his vest and used it on him.
A member of the public intervened and helped the officer detain the suspect, who was arrested and taken to Kogarah Police Station, where it was established he was already on bail.
In relation to the weekend’s antics he was subsequently charged with common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, resist arrest, assault police, posses/use prohibited weapon, and use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention. Adding to these came two counts of breach ADVO (Apprehended Domestic Violence Order) and breach of bail.
NSW Police report the constable was decontaminated and did not require treatment.
President of the NSW Police Association Tony King told 2GB’s Mark Levy this was the latest “totally unacceptable” assault against police, now averaging almost 50 incidents per week.
King called on politicians to stand up and support the police, and for the courts to “start handing out some decent sentences” in the hope of deterring such behaviour.
