Sean Thomas Brandon has pleaded not guilty to assaulting police officer

Lawyers for a teacher accused of seriously assaulting police are searching for possible inconsistencies in what the officer has alleged occurred during a protest at a popular shopping centre.

Lawyers for a Mackay teacher accused of seriously assaulting police are searching for possible inconsistencies in what the officer has alleged occurred during a protest at Caneland Central.

Sean Thomas Brandon is facing three charges after a number of anti-Covid mandate protesters clashed with police at the Mangrove Rd shopping centre on January 22, 2022.

It is alleged the 50 year old, from Slade Point, was among a number of people who marched along River St from Bluewater Quay to Caneland Central when a peaceful protest turned violent.

Mr Brandon is charged with serious assault – assault/resist/obstruct police, being a public nuisance and obstruct police, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Barrister Joshua Morris, instructed by McKay’s Solicitors, made an application for an internal report and police radio transmission in relation to the incident.

Sean Thomas Brandon leaves Mackay courthouse after his matters were mentioned on Friday, February 25. He is charged with serious assault police, being a public nuisance and obstructing police.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard the internal report was in relation to injuries the officer allegedly suffered resulting in the serious assault charge.

“I’d like to know when reporting internally … what the offer has said has occurred,” Mr Morris said.

“I suspect this material will contain a statement from the officer about the assault, which is alleged to have occurred and what injuries he’d alleged to have suffered.”

Mackay police arrested three men after an anti vaccination rally at Caneland Central allegedly turned violent.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer questioned the relevance when this information would have been disclosed in the brief of evidence.

“I’m not in the position to say whether that is inconsistent or not at this stage because I’ve not seen it,” Mr Morris said.

“What the officer has said on a previous occasion is materially relevant to the evidence he will give in the witness box.”

Mr Dwyer said, “you’re hoping you’ll find a prior inconsistent statement”.

The court heard it was the same argument for the radio transmission.

Mackay police arrested three men after an anti vaccination rally at Caneland Central allegedly turned violent.

Mr Morris said the officer who was allegedly assaulted lost “his body worn camera in the middle of the incident” leaving about a 20-minute window with body worn footage of other officers.

“If the officer has said something which is inconsistent with the evidence he will give in the witness box ... and it is not disclosed on request, that in my submission is a serious difficulty,” Mr Morris said.

Mr Dwyer refused to make an order for “something I don’t know exists”.

The matter was adjourned for one week and prosecution is to find out if the information exists and if so must provide it by July 5.

The case will be mentioned on July 6.