Police officer Deanna Mason found not guilty of aggravated assault after boozy work Christmas party

A VISIBLY emotional Palmerston police officer has walked free from court after a judge cleared her of an assault charge, nine months on from a scuffle at a boozy police station Christmas party

Policewoman Deanna Mason leaves Darwin Local Court

A VISIBLY emotional Palmerston police officer walked free from court on Wednesday after a judge cleared her of an assault charge, nine months on from a scuffle at a boozy police station Christmas party.

Senior Constable Mason became broke down in tears of relief as Judge John Neill found the blow she laid to the face of a patron at Wisdom’s nightclub on Mitchell St was an act of self-defence.

The finding meant Sen Constable Mason was acquitted of the charge despite having belted fellow drinker Alexandra O’Malley above her eye in the wee hours of December 8 last year, leaving her with redness and swelling.

Senior Constable Deanna Mason was found not guilty of aggravated assault

Mr Neill said Sen Constable Mason “clearly gave evidence that she believed the complainant was about to attack her” in the drinks line.

“She feared the complainant would bash her,” he said.

“People in those circumstances ... do not have the opportunity for calm detachment or reflective thinking.”

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He said the evidence showed Ms O’Malley was being belligerent toward the off-duty officer.

Sen Constable Mason’s lawyer, Ray Murphy, said his client “has done what any ordinary person in the circumstances would do”.

Mr Neill said Ms O’Malley, who had been drinking heavily in the lead-up to biffo, did not give reliable evidence.

“All in all I find the complainant to be an almost entirely unreliable witness,” he said.

Sen Constable Mason inadvertently had her husband’s police badge at the bar — rather than her leather wallet — and a sweary Ms O’Malley thought the officer was flashing it to try to get free drinks.

Mr Neill also rejected that claim.

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He said he was “entirely satisfied” Sen Constable Mason “on the evidence before the court at no stage sought to produce a police badge and at no stage sought to take advantage of her position as a police officer”.

Sen Constable Mason was awarded $2373 in court costs.