Court rules cops didn’t plant drugs on Hells Angel
RIOT police were justified in the violent arrest of a Darwin bikie and did not plant meth in his home, a court has ruled
Crime and Court
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crime and Court. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RIOT police were justified in the violent arrest of a Darwin bikie and did not plant meth in his home, a court has ruled.
Hells Angels sergeant-at-arms Phillip Pearce O’Shea, 44, was found on Monday guilty in the Darwin Local Court of drug possession, assaulting police and resisting arrest following the raid on his Bellamack home last October.
In handing down her decision, judge Tanya Fong Lim found while there were “some inconsistencies” in the evidence of police witnesses, O’Shea’s lawyer’s attempt to discredit them had failed.
She said while the force involved in O’Shea’s arrest may be “confronting”, the officers actions were justified.
“They have been faced with an aggressive, large man, known for violence and it was taking all of their strength to contain him,” she said.
“They were clearly within the execution of their duties in restraining the defendant given his immediate aggression and failure to comply with directions.”
O’Shea will return to court for sentencing next week.
NAMED: List of the NT’s drug dealers
FROM an ex-model to a former soldier, these are some of the suburban drug dealers who plied their trade in streets and homes throughout Darwin before the law finally caught up. Find out who is on the list.
Break-ins becoming the ‘ new normal’: Store owner
THE co-owner of the Batchelor General Store says break-ins are becoming the new normal after the business was broken into twice on two consecutive days