Charges laid after brutal attack on cop during press conference
A Cairns police officer has been injured in an ugly attack in the CBD during a press conference announcing a crackdown on alcohol related violence. See the video.
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A Cairns police officer has been injured in an ugly attack in the CBD during a press conference announcing a crack down on alcohol related violence.
On Tuesday at the corner of Lake and Shields streets Senior Sergeant Gary Hunter was discussing the launch of Operation Victor Craven with reporters when Senior Constable Martin Shephard copped a flying fist in the face from a random passer-by.
“He has punched Marty in the face, that obviously led to his arrest and he will be charged with serious assault,” Snr Sgt Hunter said.
“I dare say mental health has played a part in this incident.
“(Snr Const Shephard) was more shaken and had a bit of a sore jaw.”
Operation Victor Craven will tackle alcohol fuelled assaults in the CBD through high visibility police patrols of the CBD and Esplanade Lagoon precinct.
“We know that visibility goes a long way to maintaining community safety, which is our mission to have a greater presence in the CBD to ward off these behaviours,” Snr Sgt Hunter said.
A 68-year-old Ashgrove man was charged with serious assault police following the alleged assault.
The man was arrested at the scene and is due to appear before Cairns Magistrates Court on March 16.
The unprovoked CBD attack came 24 hours before a public hearing into the Strengthening Community Safety Bill 2023.
Despite being dubbed a public meeting, the venue of the hearing has not been revealed by the state government.
However, a live broadcast of proceedings will be accessible through the Parliament TV web portal.
It’s understood a select few members of the Cairns community have been invited to front a panel made up of three Labor and three LNP members of parliament.
Crime campaigner Perri Conti has been invited to make a five minute submission.
Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin, and Aaron McLeod from the Crime and Justice Action Group will also make submissions.
But Ms Conti had little confidence submissions would positively guide policy designed to curb a statewide juvenile crime wave.
“They have given us one week. All this is to shut up the community, this is not about what we think of the new laws, this is all window dressing,” she said.
“It will not change until they actually sit down with us and ask why we have teen girls prostituting themselves, kids couch surfing and 11-year-old stealing cars.”
The strengthening of youth justice laws are designed to get tough on serious repeat offenders by amending the Queensland Criminal Code, Bail Act and Police Powers and Responsibilities Act.
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