Christopher Michael Ebsworth faces Mackay court on assault police charges

A mining father of five who allegedly hurt a police officer in a “gratuitous, unprovoked” manner has been refused bail in a Queensland court where his distressed partner called for him to keep praying.

A mining father of five who allegedly hurt a police officer in a “gratuitous, unprovoked” has been refused bail in a Queensland court where his distressed partner called out at the video screen.

A Mackay father of five has been refused bail after he allegedly harmed a police officer in a “gratuitous, unprovoked and intoxicated” assault in the CBD.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard Christopher Michael Ebsworth was charged with three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and two counts of serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm.

The offending, which left a person with a broken arm, was allegedly committed at an address on the corner of Victoria St and Wood St on May 5.

In presenting a case for Mr Ebsworth’s bail, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service solicitor Sarah-Jayne Reid said the 39-year-old was his family’s main income earner with a 7-on, 7-off role at the mines.

She said Mr Ebsworth then took his children – aged between one and 11 – to school, daycare and extra-curricular activities on days off.

Magistrate Damian Dwyer said that responsibility would now fall to the children’s mother as the evidence of Mr Ebsworth’s alleged “gratuitous, unprovoked and intoxicated” offending was “very strong” and when considering his history, it was “silly” to consider granting bail.

On realising Mr Ebsworth would go to prison to be held on remand his partner and mother of his children was visibly upset.

Minutes earlier gotten the chance to quickly tell him over the videolink: “Hey babe, I love you, just keep praying okay. The kids said hello.”

The court on Friday heard the Slade Point father had in 2020 allegedly punched a Containers for Change staff member “without warning”.

Ms Reid said Mr Ebsworth was remorseful and he had indicated he wanted help for his drinking issue which bail would help facilitate.

Mr Dwyer said he took that with a “grain of salt” as there was no proof he had sought help over the past five years.

Mr Ebsworth then intervened to tell Mr Dwyer he had gotten “a lot” of counselling.

Mr Dwyer adjourned the matter until Wednesday to allow Mr Ebsworth time to back his claim.