Port Augusta man charged with attempted murder after alleged SA Police sword attack

A man will face court after a police officer was flown to Adelaide for surgery following shocking scenes at an alleged domestic violence call out.

A Port Augusta man has been charged with attempted murder after a wild confrontation where he allegedly struck an SA Police officer with a sword at Port Augusta.

Police said they were called to a house in High Street after reports of a domestic disturbance at around 10.40am on Saturday.

“When two officers arrived, a man confronted the patrol and struck a female officer in the left arm with a sword,” police said.

Police said officers used capsicum spray to detain the 30-year-old man and the injured woman was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

She was later flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital “because of the nature of her injuries” and then taken into surgery.

SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens Picture: RoyVPhotography.

She was recovering in the hospital on Sunday.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said while any attack on a police officer was abhorrent, the violent nature of this incident had shocked police.

“Policing is an inherently dangerous occupation because of the nature of some incidents officers are called to, but an incident of this nature highlights the risk police face daily serving the community,’’ he said.

“Thankfully the officer’s injuries are not life-threatening and measures are being taken to fully support her and her family.”

The Port Augusta man was later on Saturday charged with two counts of attempted murder and hindering police.

He was also charged with assault and breach of intervention order relating to the domestic disturbance where he assaulted a woman he knew.

She suffered minor injuries and had been taken to hospital for treatment.

The man did not apply for bail and is set to face the Port Augusta Magistrates Court on Monday.

Mr Stevens said police officers and the community will be “paying particular interest as this matter progresses through the court system”.

“Under the Criminal Law Consolidation Act the penalty for assaulting a prescribed emergency services worker is a maximum prison sentence of 15 years,” he said.

“Every police officer will be watching to see what penalty is applied if there is a finding of guilt.’’