Hugo Hall: Music student assaults cop outside Melbourne Convention Centre
A Wesley College graduate has admitted to attacking a police officer while wearing a T-shirt over his face and filming the clash.
South East
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A former Wesley College student who assaulted a police officer while wearing a T-shirt over his face also filmed the incident on his phone, a court has heard.
Hugo Hall, 21, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday to plead guilty to one charge of assaulting an emergency worker.
The court heard Hall was among a crowd of “aggressive” protesters demonstrating outside the Melbourne Convention Centre, where the International Mining and Resources Conference was taking place, when the incident occurred about 10am, on October 29, 2019.
It was heard Hall went up to a senior constable, who was restraining and arresting Hall’s friend, and kicked the police officer in the shin.
Hall was carrying a megaphone in one hand and using his other hand to film the incident on his phone, while a T-shirt was tied around his head to cover his face below his eyes.
After the attack Hall disappeared into the crowd, with the court hearing the protesters were too volatile at the time for police to follow and arrest him.
He was arrested about 40 minutes later.
The court heard the Brunswick man had no criminal record and had not reoffended while on bail.
Hall’s lawyer told the court her client had a passion for social justice, particularly for refugees and disadvantaged members of the community.
But Magistrate Peter Reardon pointed out that the cause didn’t justify Hall’s actions.
“Well that doesn’t help — the police officer’s shin being kicked — does it?” Mr Reardon said.
Mr Reardon said while it was a citizen’s right to protest, it didn’t mean they had the right to assault others.
Hall’s lawyer said he hadn’t “set out that day to assault police”.
She further said Hall hadn’t been covering his face to hide his identity, but rather to protect himself from the capsicum spray being used on the crowd.
However, Mr Reardon refused to accept that explanation for Hall wearing a T-shirt tied over his face and a mask.
It was heard Hall, who had been diagnosed with ADHD, was studying an Advanced Diploma of Music at Melbourne Polytechnic while working as a casual labourer at Accent Architectural Windows.
Five character references were tendered to the court to indicate the assault was “completely out of character” for Hall.
Mr Reardon agreed to not hand Hall a conviction due to his young age and otherwise good record.
Hall was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond, and he was ordered to pay $400 to the court fund.
