Sergeant Richard Power pleads guilty to assaulting person at Southport watchhouse

The next steps for a Gold Coast police officer who assaulted a man in custody at the watchhouse – breaking three ribs and causing internal injuries – have been revealed.

A Gold Coast police officer remains suspended after pleading guilty to assaulting a man in custody at the Southport watchhouse, leaving him with three broken ribs and internal injuries.

The Queensland Police Service confirmed in a statement this week that Sergeant Richard Power, 47, was still suspended amid an ongoing internal investigation following his sentencing in Southport Magistrates Court last month.

Power pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of assault occasioning bodily harm, walking away from court with a $2500 fine and no conviction recorded. The court was told Power was one of several officers dealing with Nicholas Henry Leighton at the Southport watchhouse on December 9, 2021.

It was heard a handcuffed Mr Leighton was taken to the violent detention cell – having spat at and abused police – and was in a facedown position with his legs being held down, refusing to comply with orders to put his hands in front of him.

Power then struck Mr Leighton in the back with his knee, breaking three of the man’s ribs and injuring his lung.

Footage of the assault was played in court but a media application for its release was refused. Power’s defence counsel said the strike was a QPS-approved technique gone wrong, claiming the sergeant intended to drop his knee onto Mr Leighton’s upper arm or shoulder area to gain compliance.

It was heard the officer of 22 years and former Army Reservist had written a letter of apology to Mr Leighton and the court, and volunteered almost full-time since being stood down.

Magistrate Joan White said that while she accepted the victim was “extremely agitated” and non-compliant, he was in a vulnerable position and surrounded by officers at the time.

“I am satisfied that restraint technique was appropriate, however for whatever reason you got it very, very wrong, Mr Power,” Ms White said.

“The main concern I have today (is) the fact it’s an unlawful assault by a police officer in the performance of his duties, and I think that greatly elevates the criminality of his conduct. People who are taken to the watchhouse for whatever reason … they have a right to be treated with respect and in a proper manner.”

It remains uncertain when or if Power – who has been suspended since being charged last year – will return to duty, according to a QPS statement last week. “There is currently an internal investigation in relation to this matter,” the statement read.

“As such, any further comment surrounding the investigation or member’s employment status would not be appropriate at this time.”