NSW Police’s bid to hide Kings Cross Superintendent Jonathan Beard’s address after alleged assaults

One of NSW’s most senior police officers has denied assaulting two men in Sydney’s inner west. It comes as the NSW Police seek to hide his address in court.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb’s office will take the extraordinary step of asking a court to require that parties ask for permission before they can view documents in the case of a senior officer accused of assaulting two men.

Kings Cross police commander Jonathan Beard, 55, did not appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday after he was previously charged with three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Detective Superintendent Jonathan Beard has denied assaulting two men in an incident in September.

In a surprise step, a court has granted an interim suppression order preventing the disclosure of Beard’s address.

It comes as a representative for Ms Webb’s office is seeking to prevent any person accessing Beard’s court file without first notifying the Commissioner, as part of a broader application to cover up his address

A magistrate will have to make a final determination on the order sought in January.

Earlier, Beard’s lawyer told the court she would be entering not guilty pleas on behalf of her client.

Strike Force Swanage was established by the NSW Police Professional Standards Command to investigate an alleged assault involving a 55-year-old off-duty police officer in Stanmore on September 21.

Inquiries led to him being issued with a court attendance notice in October for the three charges with police alleging he assaulted two men, aged 18 and 21.

Sources say Supt Beard, who has previously worked in the Professional Standards Command, approached the three males who were allegedly knocking on doors in his street and running about 10pm on the night in question.

Acting Assistant Commissioner David Driver told journalists in October three men were arrested and charged with assault and trespass on premises.

Neighbours said CCTV footage showed Supt Beard allegedly chasing the men down the street.

Assistant Commissioner Driver said two of the three men, aged 18 and 21, suffered injuries, including cuts and bruises, while one of them had a shoulder injury.

As a result, he said Supt Beard was charged and “currently not in the workplace”.

Supt Beard’s employment status is still under review.