Andrew Merryfull: Maroubra man arrested after alleged spit attack

Police Minister David Elliott says he’s had a ‘gutful’ of frontline police copping abuse after a female officer was allegedly headbutted and spat on by a man who was told to leave Maroubra beach.

• 16 excuses will exempt you from $11k COVID-19 fine
• Extra powers and 24/7 hours for NSW pharmacists

A man has been released on bail after allegedly headbutting and spitting at a female police officer enforcing new COVID-19 restrictions at a Sydney beach on Monday.

Andrew Merryfull has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer in the line of duty – causing actual bodily harm – following the incident at Maroubra about 11.20pm yesterday.

The alleged incident prompted NSW Police Minister David Elliott to release a statement saying he’d had a “gutful” of hearing about allegations of cowardly assaults on police on the frontline of the coronavirus.

Police will allege Merryfull and a woman, 19, ignored closure signs at Maroubra Beach and “verbally abused” lifeguards who asked them to leave and reminded them of government’s social distancing guidelines.

Maroubra beach has been closed by Randwick Council. Picture John Grainger

Officers were called to the scene and allegedly found the 29-year-old and the woman on nearby Mons Ave, before a scuffle broke out as they tried to arrest him.

It is alleged during the “short struggle” he assaulted a female officer.

Merryfull, who lives in an apartment near the beach, was released on conditional bail at Central Local Court on Tuesday.

He is also facing charges of resisting arrest, offensive behaviour and failing to comply with the terms of notice erected by a council.

Randwick Council has closed all beaches in its local government area, including Coogee and Maroubra beaches, to comply with government mandated social distancing rules.

All beaches in Sydney’s eastern suburbs were closed last Sunday, including Bondi, Tamarama, Maroubra and Coogee. Picture John Grainger

Speaking generally Mr Elliott on Tuesday said police were putting their own safety on the line to protect “the very people that attack them”.

“If you choose to ignore a direction from police – one that is in place to save lives – then you can expect to be issued with a hefty fine or jail time,” he said.

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said this type of alleged behaviour would not deter officers, and those who break restrictions would feel the “full force of the law”.

Merryfull will next appear at Waverley Local Court on May 27.