Six people charged, four bailed, over alleged St Kilda police attack
A sixth person has been charged over the vicious attack on two police officers after a 30th birthday party in St Kilda.
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A sixth person has been charged over the vicious attack on two police officers after a 30th birthday party.
A 26-year-old Frankston man was arrested in Frankston on Tuesday night.
He was charged with assaulting police, violent disorder and other related charges and was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 3.
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Five other people have already fronted court over the Fitzroy St brawl.
A 26-year-old St Kilda man, a 27-year-old Langwarrin man, a 26-yer-old Prahran man and a 38-year-old Frankston man appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Three were bailed despite police opposing their release, citing the trio were an “unacceptable risk” for the safety of the community.
But magistrate Andrew McKenna released them on strict conditions, saying they might serve more time in jail than they should, given how long it will take the police case to head to court.
Under tough laws aimed at protecting police, Trent Potts and Phillip O’Donnell face mandatory six months’ jail for the alleged assault on two uniformed officers.
Yesterday, Kayla Potts, a childcare worker and mother of one, was granted bail, with her lawyer claiming she was “traumatised” by the experience.
Singer Jules Tobin was charged after he spat on and kicked a police officer in the wild attack’s aftermath.
The court was told Mr Tobin did not know the other two men but performed at the 30th birthday they attended that night.
Mr McKenna said while it was “poor behaviour” and “extremely violent”, they were entitled to bail given the length of time the case will take and lack of priors with strict conditions attached.
This morning, a fifth person was charged over the violent incident after being arrested in Prahran, charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer, violent disorder, affray two counts of intentionally causing injury and assault by kicking.
A soon-to-be-married couple and parents of a three-year-old boy faced court yesterday, also charged with bashing two police officers.
Kayla Potts, 25, and fiance Jack Houldcroft allegedly attacked two police officers after a night out at a 30th birthday in St Kilda, a court has heard.
Five people have already been charged but police are still looking for two more.
Both officers sustained serious injuries in the alleged attack, with one suffering a ruptured bicep, the other head lacerations and a possible broken cheekbone.
Police command, the police union and Premier Daniel Andrews condemned the attack, which was filmed by witnesses and has been widely played in the media.
Ms Potts’ brother, Trent, and co-accused, Phillip O’Donnell, 38, were also charged over the attack.
It was alleged Ms Potts hit the officer as he tried to arrest her brother. She was then hit over the head with a light as the police officer tried to defend himself.
Her fiance, Mr Houldcroft, did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to appear on June 3.
The court heard the group of up to seven people had moments earlier assaulted a transgender woman, sparking the call to police.
Officers were then set upon by the group as they tried to arrest one of the alleged offenders.
Sen-Con Jacob Laidlaw told the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court the group insulted the woman. Mr Potts then allegedly kneed her in the groin.
Police arrived and tried to arrest Mr Potts as he got into a taxi before he broke free and began to run away.
The officers chased Mr Potts, putting him in a hold on the ground, when it is alleged his sister came from the side and punched the officer in the face. A brawl then broke out.
Mr Potts and Mr O’Donnell will apply for bail on Tuesday.
Police will use CCTV and DNA evidence to determine their exact involvement.
The four people charged could face a minimum sentence of six months in jail after changes to the Sentencing Act were passed late last year.
The laws made injuring emergency service workers on duty a category one offence, like murder or rape, which carries a jail term.
Premier Daniel Andrews moved to change the laws after two women avoided jail early last year after being found guilty of assaulting paramedics.
It’s alleged a group of seven people assaulted two police officers, with the incident caught on camera, about 3am on Fitzroy St, near the corner of Jackson St.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the attack on police in St Kilda was a “disgusting incident”.
He said the government changed the law last year to ensure anyone who assaulted emergency services workers would “feel the full force of the law and a very harsh penalty”.
“We’ve got no time for this, no tolerance for it and I’m confident Victoria Police will be doing the work necessary to see those people face the full force of new laws that I’m very proud to have written,” Mr Andrews said on Monday.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said the two injured police officers were “shaken” but in “good spirits”.
Doctors were working to determine if the officer who had his face repeatedly smashed into the ground sustained eye socket damage.
He said the attack on police in St Kilda was “barbaric” and that anyone who assaulted officers would be hit with the full force of the law.
“It was disgusting and unprovoked,” Mr Patton said. “I can’t explain the outrage I felt when I saw the footage.”
Mr Patton said attacks on police were rising. Last year, there were 3000 assaults on police.
Police are also increasingly being targeted by thugs who use cars as weapons.
Mr Patton said up to 20 police car rammings occur every month.
He said the force would show “zero tolerance” for those who attacked members on the job.
“We will use force to arrest,” he said. “From here on in, there will be no tolerance or discretion for any attack on police or emergency workers.
“No one comes to work and expects to be lying on the road with their head smashed into the gutter.
“We can’t allow our members to be spat on, kicked, assault and treated with contempt. An attack on police is an attack on society.”
Mr Patton vehemently rejected suggestions the officers had been too heavy-handed during the initial arrest.
“They were belted and attacked,” he said. “I absolutely reject any suggestion that they acted inappropriately.”
He said the officers were ambushed by up to seven of the initial alleged offender’s friends, who arrived on scene by taxi.
TROUBLE-PLAGUED FITZROY ST
Sunday morning’s violent assault on police officers happened just metres from the recently redeveloped Gatwick building.
Last year, the St Kilda property was a transformed from a derelict boarding house, known for its drugs and unsavoury behaviour, into a boutique set of apartments on The Block.
The owner of nearby restaurant Tolarno Eating House, which can be seen in the back of the shocking assault video, said violent incidents like this one were uncommon on Fitzroy St since the Gatwick was remodelled.
“It was a lot worse a year and a half ago,” Lachlan McKenzie-McHarg said. “Fitzroy St has had its problems but it has noticeably improved.
“I don’t think this incident is systemic of what is happening on the street.”
The business owner told the Herald Sun it was a “terrible incident”, saying “I’ve never seen a police officer assaulted like that before”.
Police Association of Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said he wanted to see tough sentences imposed on the people behind the assault on officers.
“We are pleased that the government moved quickly last year to tighten loopholes that existed and allowed people to avoid mandatory minimum sentences that apply to assaulting emergency services workers,” he said.
“That said, minimum terms are just that, they are the baseline we should see and it is open to the courts to use their discretion to support our police by looking towards the upper end of the sentencing range available to them.”
Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the St Kilda assault.
Anyone with information or who was in the area at the time of the assault and brawl is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppersvic.com.au