Potts Point: Three people face court over alleged police brawl
Three people, including a young mother, who were allegedly involved in wild scenes outside a Potts Point hotel at the weekend that left five police officers in hospital have appeared in court.
Central Sydney
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A mother who allegedly dug her finger nails into the arm of a police officer and “screamed incoherently” in his face during a wild brawl outside a Potts Point hotel has been granted bail.
Three people charged following the incident on Saturday night that left five police officers in hospital — some with gruesome injuries — faced court on Monday on a raft of assault and affray offences.
Brothers Tuni and Sione Usaia, and the latter’s partner Kirsten Andersen, appeared before Central Local Court on Monday facing charges stemming from the incident on Bayswater Rd about 11.20pm on Saturday night.
It is alleged they were part of a group of six people who set upon Kings Cross police officers responding to reports of a disturbance after a man was removed from the Flamingo Lounge.
Police say it took about 25 officers, including members of the Public Order Riot Squad, to take the group into custody.
Injuries allegedly inflicted on six officers during the incident included a chipped elbow, torn bicep, a dislocated jaw, a broken nose, concussion, bruising and swelling.
On Monday Magistrate Robert Williams heard mother-of-one Andersen attempted to distract police while her partner Usaia — who was allegedly caught on CCTV in the midst of the brawl — ran from the scene.
The 24-year-old allegedly “intercepted” police chasing Usaia, “dug a nail” into one officer’s arm and “screamed incoherently” in his face, the court heard.
In her defence it was argued that the warehouse worker’s role in the incident “may yet be seen as somewhat minor”, and that she had no criminal history.
Magistrate Williams granted a bail application, which bans her from Sydney CBD and requires her to report to Campbelltown police station three days per week.
Her partner, who the court heard had a “lengthy” criminal history including violent incidents where police were “directly victims”, will remain behind bars after his bail application was refused.
Sione Usaia was found by patrolling police about 12.07am wearing only his underwear with running nose and eyes which police will allege was caused by exposure to OC spray released during the brawl, the court heard.
He also later admitted to being in possession of cocaine when a bag of white powder was discovered by police, the court heard.
Older brother Tuni Usaia did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
The 34-year-old, from Airds, was charged with affray, causing grievous bodily harm to police, four counts of assault police in the line of duty causing actual bodily harm, two counts of assault police in line of duty and resisting arrest.
He will return to court on December 19.
Ambarvale man Sione Usaia, 25, was charged with affray and drug possession.
Andersen, who lives with her partner in Ambarvale, was charged with affray, assault police in line of duty causing actual bodily harm, assault police in line of duty, resisting arrest, wilfully obstructing police, and not leaving a licensed premises.
They will return to court on November 7.
Co-accused Maria Usaia, 22, appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday, where she was released on conditional bail.
She is facing affray, assault police and property damage charges, and will next appear at the Downing Centre on October 24.
