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Maroubra pub shooting: Decorated police sergeant victim after being stabbed by child sex offender

CRITICALLY wounded detective John Breda’s condition has improved slightly but senior police warn he is still not out of danger after he was stabbed attempting to arrest accused sex offender Nick Newman in a deadly struggle yesterday.

CRITICALLY wounded detective John Breda’s condition in hospital has improved slightly but senior police warn he is still not out of danger.

The highly-respected detective sergeant from the NSW Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad was stabbed in the chest and torso during what should have been a routine arrest at Maroubra in Sydney’s east on Australia Day.

The 45-year-old was with two other colleagues when they attempted to arrest accused sex offender Nick Newman, 33, in the beer garden of the Maroubra Junction Hotel.

 

 

Honoured cop.... Detective Sergeant John Breda. Picture: ABC News/Alex McDonaldHunted... Nick Newman was wanted on arrest warrant for child sex offences.
Honoured cop.... Detective Sergeant John Breda. Picture: ABC News/Alex McDonaldHunted... Nick Newman was wanted on arrest warrant for child sex offences.
Honoured cop.... Detective Sergeant John Breda. Picture: ABC News/Alex McDonaldHunted... Nick Newman was wanted on arrest warrant for child sex offences.
Honoured cop.... Detective Sergeant John Breda. Picture: ABC News/Alex McDonaldHunted... Nick Newman was wanted on arrest warrant for child sex offences.

Newman lunged at Sgt Breda, a father-of-two who has also worked at the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad, with a knife before the two other detectives shot him dead.

The decorated officer, who has children with his wife Kim, was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery in a critical condition.

Assistant Commissioner Mal Lanyon and Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson.
Assistant Commissioner Mal Lanyon and Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson.
Police Minister Troy Grant at St Vincent’s Hospital today.
Police Minister Troy Grant at St Vincent’s Hospital today.

Acting NSW Police Commissioner Dave Hudson visited the hospital today and was briefed by medical staff about the maimed officer’s condition.

“I can indicate Det Sgt Breda is still in a very serious but stable condition,” Mr Hudson said.

“Obviously we are not medical experts but we have spoken to them.

“They are comfortable with his progress so far however he is by no means out of danger.”

Police Minister Troy Grant, also visited the Darlinghurst hospital on Saturday, thanked the brilliant hospital staff, paramedics and police who helped Det Sgt Breda.

“There actions have been lifesaving and we are forever in their debt,” he said.

“It’s the worst phone call a minister can get to hear one of NSW’s finest has been injured so severely with his life at threat.”

HOW IT UNFOLDED: OFFICER CRITICAL AFTER CHILD SEX ABUSE ARREST STABBING

Police gather near the scene of the fatal incident at the Maroubra Junction Hotel.
Police gather near the scene of the fatal incident at the Maroubra Junction Hotel.
Paramedics take Sgt Breda from the scene.
Paramedics take Sgt Breda from the scene.

Newman had been due to front Penrith Local Court on Wednesday on six counts of rape and one count each of indecent assault against a child, as well as one count of intentionally choke a person with recklessness.

After he failed to show up, the court issued an arrest warrant and police issued a public appeal as they hunted for him.

Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad Sgt Breda, a veteran of the force, and his two colleagues arrived at the hotel about 3.15pm yesterday and tried to arrest Newman in the beer garden when things went wrong.

Newman was heard arguing with the officers before pulling out a knife and lunging at them, stabbing Sgt Breda.

Ambulance workers on the scene amid crime-scene tape. Picture: 7NEWS
Ambulance workers on the scene amid crime-scene tape. Picture: 7NEWS

He was then quickly gunned down.

A two-block radius around the hotel was soon blocked off and bystanders evacuated into a nearby supermarket.

Witnesses said they heard “four or five shots” as Australia Day celebrations at the packed eastern suburbs hotel ground to a halt with officers swarming the area.

Tasso Sigrimis, 32, was walking past the pub with his partner.

“We saw everything kicking off. We heard arguing and then we heard shots and saw someone coming out with blood on them,” Mr Sigrimis said.

Forensic officers investigate surrounding areas of the pub. Picture: Jenny Evans
Forensic officers investigate surrounding areas of the pub. Picture: Jenny Evans
Forensic officers discuss progress at their van at the front of the pub. Picture: Jenny Evans
Forensic officers discuss progress at their van at the front of the pub. Picture: Jenny Evans

“It was at least four or five shots and we just ran for our lives.”

One man said he saw the injured police officer and “blood everywhere”.

“I reckon (there was) about four, five shots, easy, ‘bang, bang, bang, bang, bang’,” he said.

Police Association of NSW president Scott Weber said that the detective almost paid the “ultimate sacrifice”.

“Let’s make sure that every single person in NSW has thoughts and prayers tonight for those officers but especially the officer that is in hospital that’s fighting for his life,” he said.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/maroubra-pub-shooting-decorated-police-sergeant-victim-after-being-stabbed-by-child-sex-monster/news-story/76a4c0a2bdc95a1510681509a10a5b67