Druggie Greg Hart allegedly punched, kneed officer during arrest
A man with a “chronic drug problem” punched an officer in the head and kneed him in the torso in an “unprovoked attack”, a court has heard.
Central Coast
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With his right arm heavily bandaged and dressed in a hi-vis shirt under a white hospital gown, Gregory Peter Hart faced Wyong Local Court on Thursday charged with two counts of resisting arrest and one count each of assaulting police, possess a prohibited drug and supplying a prohibited drug.
The court heard Hart was a passenger in a Toyota utility travelling along Cutler Drive at Wyong when police noticed the registration plates and pulled the vehicle over about 4.40pm on Wednesday, June 24.
The prosecutor said Hart tried to flee on foot but when the two officers caught up to him he allegedly engaged in an “unprovoked attack” on the police.
The prosecutor said the 26-year-old allegedly punched one Detective Senior Constable to the left temple causing swelling, headache and pain in his jaw.
The prosecutor said after throwing the punch a syringe fell out of his bum bag and when they crashed to the ground Hart allegedly kneed the officer in the torso before he “thrashed around violently”.
The prosecutor said it was a difficult time for police “in the current climate” and they should not be getting assaulted “just trying to do their job”.
He also said police alleged Hart supplied 18.57g of methylamphetamine, which was at the “upper end” of objective seriousness for an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 15 years jail.
The court heard Hart, of Watanobbi, also hit the other officer causing a “soft tissue injury” but he was not charged with a second assault police offence.
After struggling for several minutes the two officers managed to arrest him and a search of him allegedly uncovered 1.45g of methylamphetamine.
Hart’s Legal Aid solicitor applied for bail saying he sustained a fractured arm and would need proper treatment.
She said he could live with his mother at Mannering Park and had just recently started a business as a diesel mechanic.
However Magistrate Elizabeth Ellis said Hart had just come off parole on June 3, had an unfavourable criminal antecedence and was found with equipment and cash which “indicated a chronic drug problem”.
She refused him bail and he was adjourned to July 7.