Natalie Ellis: Cop makes mental health bid to have assault charges dismissed

A senior constable is “ashamed and embarrassed” to have kicked, ripped the shirt, spat at and tried to bite fellow police officers in a drunken attack when resisting arrest.

Natalie Ellis, a senior constable attached to the Central Metropolitan Region, has pleaded guilty to a charge to assaulting fellow police officers. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A senior constable who kicked, ripped the shirt, spat at and tried to bite fellow police officers in a drunken and violent attack when resisting arrest has failed in her bid to have charges dealt with under mental health grounds.

Natalie Ellis, 40, made an application under the Mental Health Act in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday after she pleaded guilty to four charges of assaulting police and one count of hindering police.

Ellis – a senior constable attached to the Central Metropolitan Region – has pleaded not guilty to a charge of intimidation.

The court heard police were called to Ellis’ Bonnet Bay home shortly after 10pm on March 16 following a report of a domestic dispute where she allegedly held a large kitchen knife to her partner’s throat.

When officers arrived Ellis was heavily intoxicated and rambling and at one point told police ”you are going to need back up”.

Natalie Ellis during a previous court appearance. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Ellis kicked at officers, grabbed and ripped an officer’s shirt, spat in another’s face and attempted to bite an officer in the neck. She had to be wrestled to the ground and handcuffed.

The officers were not seriously injured but one received a small laceration.

The court heard Ellis’ partner allegedly told police the knife attack was a “nightmare”.

On Wednesday, Ellis sought to have her charges dealt with under Section 14, which allows a magistrate to dismiss a charge and discharge the defendant into the care of a responsible person, to treatment or rehabilitation, or without conditions.

Defence barrister Mick Ainsworth told the court Ellis met her partner while they were attending a residential rehabilitation centre last year.

Ellis was admitted to treat her PTSD which she claims was caused by her years in the police force and seeing deaths, and had significant alcohol issues.

She first went into the treatment facility in August and was readmitted upon relapsing, following the incident, in April.

Ellis will defend a charge of intimidation later this year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

“My client has dedicated years and years of her life to the police force,” Mr Ainsworth said. “She is deeply ashamed and embarrassed to have behaved in that way to fellow police officers.

“She knows police aren’t punching bags. Ms Ellis understands the difficult situation she has put herself in and she took her frustration out on police.

“It is not in her character because they are her own people. My client is trying to come out the other end and rebuild her life.”

The court heard Ellis was seeing a psychiatrist and was medicated.

Mr Ainsworth said his client alleged there was no assault on her partner and it was an “entirely fabricated event” therefore she was surprised when police arrived and she “erupted”.

Mr Ainsworth conceded Ellis was heavily intoxicated at the time and acknowledged she had an alcohol issue.

“She knows what her issues are and she is addressing them,” he said, adding she had sought treatment before the incident.

Mr Ainsworth said he was making representations for the domestic violence charge to be withdrawn.

He said Ellis had the support of her parents and others in the community, adding the relationship was over as she was focused on her recovery.

Magistrate Rodney Brender acknowledged Ellis had no criminal history and recognised she had mental health condition of major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety, insomnia, and alcohol abuse.

He said the charges of assaulting police were serious and required strong condemnation before refusing the application.

Ellis’ employment status is under review and she will defend the intimidation charge at a hearing on November 6.