Motorbike Rider Dislocates Police Officers Shoulder at East Maitland

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man is due to face court on a number of charges after a police officer was injured during an arrest at East Maitland on Thursday. 

About 5pm on February 18, an officer saw an unregistered road bike being ridden on the New England Highway, East Maitland, allegedly at excessive speed.

The motorcycle stopped in traffic and the officer approached the rider, who immediately lashed out, falling to the ground. 

As the officer attempted to remove the bike, he was allegedly punched in the face and chest.

During the struggle the 39-year-old rider continued to kick and punch the senior constable before he was arrested with the assistance of members of the public.

Further police attended to assist, and the rider continued to struggle with officers. 

In trying to restrain the man, an acting sergeant suffered a dislocated shoulder. 

He was taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment.

The man was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with;

• drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
• motor vehicle exceed speed more than 20 km/h
• licence expired 2 years or more
• assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm
• two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty
• two counts of resist officer in execution of duty
• use unregistered motor vehicle on road
• other traffic offences and breach of bail

The Maitland man was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Friday. 

Man Charged With Assaulting Female Police Officer, After Punching Lake Macquarie Home Owner Several Times

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has been charged after a police officer was assaulted during an arrest in Lake Macquarie overnight.

About 8pm on Monday night, a man entered the backyard of a home on King Street, Hillsborough, where it’s alleged he damaged sporting equipment.

The homeowners confronted him a short time later before he fled and ran through several nearby properties, continuing to damage homes.

A second homeowner confronted the man on Percy Street when it’s alleged the man tackled him and punched him in the face several times.

Officers  attended a short time later and a female senior constable attempted to arrest the 20-year-old man.

Police allege the man punched the officer in the side of the head and pulled at her hair before he was arrested with assistance from other officers.

The female officer sustained bruising and swelling to her face and was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment, while the 20-year-old man was also taken to hospital under police guard for treatment to injuries sustained during the incident.

The 20-year-old Charlestown man was released from hospital on Tuesday morning and taken to Belmont Police Station.

He was charged with nine offences including two counts of destroy or damage property, two counts of enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, and three counts of resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.

He was refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Tuesday.