Joshua Quong Tart: Ex Home And Away actor blames offences on PTSD
A former Home And Away star’s trio of shocking drunken and violent incidents have been revealed in court as the 44-year-old tried to have them dealt with under mental health laws. On two of the occasions he attacked police officers - claiming the assaults had been triggered by an ‘unlawful arrest’ 20 years ago.
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A former Home And Away and Underbelly star’s series of violent clashes with police were triggered by PTSD related to what he claims was an “unlawful arrest” 20 years ago.
Joshua Quong Tart was arrested three times in the space of two months, twice on the same day, in drunken incidents that left him facing a string of charges for assaulting and resisting police.
The 44-year-old, whose celebrated career boasts stints on All Saints and the stage production of The Lion King, unsuccessfully tried to have the offences dismissed under mental health laws at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
Excerpts from report by psychiatrist Dr Rafe Pulley read to the court stated Quong Tart has for years self-medicated with alcohol for PTSD and ADHD, conditions born from an abusive childhood and homophobic bullying at school.
Traumatic memories of an arrest in 2000, which did not result in charges, had also left the actor suffering from repetitive nightmares and experiencing a “physical response” when in the presence of police.
Police facts revealed Quong Tart was pulled from his car and pinned to the ground in a “citizen’s arrest” on the side of the M1 in Unanderra on November 24, after he was noticed swerving across the road with a blown out rear tyre following a crash in Albion Park.
When officers arrived they reported the self-described alcoholic to be so intoxicated he could barely lift himself from the ground, and he refused to undergo a breath test.
“I hate you f**king people,” the court heard he told police.
Despite urinating on himself in police cells he was later released, and at 8pm that same night police discovered a naked Quong Tart trying to open the driver’s side door of a vehicle parked at Thirroul train station.
As he was arrested again he kicked out at a female officer while he was bundled with great difficulty into the back of a caged police car, yelling “I’ll have you”.
According to the facts, the Newtown resident later threatened to “rape” the same officer after being taken back to the police station.
But Mr Quong-Tart denies that allegation and has pleaded not guilty to a charge of intimidate police officer in the execution of their duty.
The final incident, on January 27 in Darlinghurst, came when police were told he had assaulted a taxi driver, with the facts stating he hid inside a second cab as officers approached.
“Get the f**k away from me,” he yelled and began punching the inside of the door that was being held shut by an officer.
He then jumped out of the vehicle and punched a cop above his right eye before being tackled to the ground in a wrestle.
In total he has pleaded guilty to refusing a breath test, offensive behaviour in a public place, assaulting police and resisting police in the execution of duty.
The court heard Dr Pulley’s report found that alcohol was a factor in each incident but did not explain Quong Tart’s actions alone.
Magistrate Lisa Viney ruled the incidents were “serious matters of violence” that were not appropriate to be dealt with on mental health grounds.
At the time of the incidents Quong Tart was under pressure as he prepared for the lead in one-man show Betty Blokk-Buster Reimagined, which ran during January’s Sydney Festival, the court heard.
Reviews of his performances on the 18-night run described him as “dazzling” and “quite brilliant”.
He will return to court for sentence on July 29.
Editor's Note: In August 2020, Mr Quong Tart made a successful application under mental health legislation to have the charges dismissed. Mr Quong Tart was ordered to undertake a psychiatric treatment plan and abstain from alcohol and illicit drugs for six months.