Constable James Clark charged with assaulting stranger on Gold Coast

New details have been aired in court about the allegations against a police officer accused of assaulting a stranger while off-duty on the Gold Coast. Read the latest here 

New details have been revealed in court about the allegations against a police officer accused of assaulting another man while off-duty on the Gold Coast.

Constable James Michael Clark faces two charges of assault occasioning bodily harm.

It is alleged the 38-year-old got into an altercation with another man, who was not known to him, at Clear Island Waters on July 26. He was not on duty at the time.

The other man, aged 31, allegedly sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Mr Clark was subsequently stood down with pay from the Queensland Police Service.

The Logan police officer was excused from appearing when his case was briefly mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Defence solicitor James Treanor, of Quinn Law Group, said it was a “very low-level assault” being alleged against Mr Clark, and that it was arguable whether bodily harm may have been caused.

Mr Treanor said his client faced serious mental health concerns and hoped the matter could proceed outside the courts through justice mediation, should the complainant consent to it.

It was heard there could be a policy preventing cases involving serving officers from being referred to justice mediation, though it was not confirmed in court.

Magistrate Joan White directed that police prosecutions contact the alleged victim to ascertain whether he would participate in the mediation process.

Mr Clark’s case is next listed for mention on November 28. He remains on bail.

Originally published as Constable James Clark charged with assaulting stranger on Gold Coast