Const. Butcher-style assault in Perth hills: union
A police officer who was head-butted while attending a domestic dispute in Greenmount yesterday is lucky he did not suffer the same fate as Const. Matthew Butcher, according to the WA Police Union.
President Russell Armstrong said the incident was similar to the assault on Const. Butcher who was knocked unconscious by a flying head-butt while trying to break up a brawl outside the Old Bailey Tavern in Joondalup last year.
Mr Armstrong said the officer, from Kiara police station, suffered swelling and bruising to the head and was taken to Swan Districts Hospital for treatment.
He has been ordered to take three days sick leave.
“Fortunately for this officer he has not had the same consequences that Matt suffered – time will tell the extent of his injuries,” Mr Armstrong said.
“We are disappointed a police officer has been assaulted but if this fits the mandatory sentencing criteria which we believe it does, this person should feel the full weight of the law and this should be an absolute deterrent to those people who think police and punching public officers can be used as punching bags.”
A 22-year-old man charged over the alleged assault has yet to appear before the Midland Magistrate’s Court today.
He has been charged with assaulting a public officer and two counts of threats to kill.
The Greenmount man could be the first WA resident to face a mandatory jail term for assaulting a police officer under the new controversial mandatory jail sentences.
Offenders convicted of assaulting a public officer face mandatory jail terms of three to 12 months.
