Cop charged over violent arrest that maimed activist
Alex Mitchell |
An officer will face court after being accused of punching a former federal Greens candidate in the face at a protest, marking a major reversal from police.
Hannah Thomas suffered a serious eye injury that required surgery when she was arrested outside a Sydney firm during a protest over weapons being supplied to Israel.
The diminutive 35-year-old was initially charged with resisting police – a case since dropped by prosecutors – and her lawyers have flagged civil proceedings in the Supreme Court for “malicious prosecution” and assault and battery by police.
Police charged the arresting officer on Tuesday with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The 33-year-old senior constable is scheduled to front the Bankstown Local Court on November 18.
“As police attempted to move on some of the protesters a 35-year-old woman sustained facial injuries and was hospitalised for treatment,” a police statement read.
“The officer is being managed in the workplace and his employment status is under review.”
Senior police initially defended the officer’s actions and resisted calls to launch a critical incident investigation, which triggers oversight measures including detectives from a different police command.
“I am comfortable based on the information provided to me that I did not declare the matter a critical incident,” Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said three days after Ms Thomas’s arrest.
Five people were arrested outside SEC Plating in Belmore, which has denied links to the Israel Defence Force.
Criminal cases against four protesters – including an offensive language charge against a 41-year-old – have now been dropped.
A magistrate on Friday ordered police to pay costs amounting to $39,435 to the four, including $21,000 to Ms Thomas.
The arrests are subject to an internal NSW Police review, with external oversight by the police watchdog.
Ms Thomas was charged with hindering or resisting police and two counts of refusing to comply with a move-on direction before the allegations were formally withdrawn earlier in September.
After the charges were dropped, her lawyer Peter O’Brien said the arresting officer in question would be charged and others involved should “certainly be disciplined”.
He confirmed legal representatives would seek costs for the prosecution and compensation for Ms Thomas.
She came second to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in his inner western Sydney seat of Grayndler at the federal election in May.
AAP
