Truck driver Nathan Hunter injures police officer with ‘body slam’ at Dimboola
A truck driver has faced court for recklessly injuring a police officer during a scuffle that led to him performing a ‘body slam’ on the emergency worker.
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A Victorian truck driver performed a “body slam” on a policeman in a “violent over-reaction” that left the officer with serious injuries, a court has heard.
Dimboola man Nathan Hunter, 39, faced Ballarat County Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to theft, recklessly causing injury, resisting an emergency worker, escaping from police custody, and possessing an imitation firearm.
The court heard Hunter stole a car belonging to a family friend of his grandma’s from a lot in Dimboola on May 16 this year.
He returned to the same location in the car about 7pm and parked it.
Two police officers approached him, and Hunter – who had a partly drunk can of Johnnie Walker – was initially cooperative but became agitated when given a verbal caution.
Video of the interaction played in court depicted the officers asking Hunter, who was sitting outside a garage, his name and date of birth.
When one officer begins to give him a caution, Hunter says, “I’m not doing this, mate” and “I’m going,” before trying to cycle away.
“Just stay where you are,” the officer says.
A scuffle ensues, and CCTV from a different angle shows Hunter on top of the officer before running away with the two uniformed members in pursuit.
He was arrested shortly afterwards, found in possession of an imitation firearm, and deemed unfit for interview.
The officer subject to what was called a “body slam” suffered chest injuries including collarbone fractures.
The court heard Hunter was deprived as a child, leaving home at 14 and more recently falling into a “spiral” of substance abuse.
He was described as being “right on the edge of institutionalisation”.
Hunter has spent 186 days in custody and will be sentenced at a later date.
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