Thomas William Diamond: Man with ‘victim complex’ walks free after assaulting police

A ‘very complex’ Ipswich man who suffered a difficult childhood has pleaded guilty to 13 charges, including assaulting a police officer. Here’s why he walked free.

A “very complex’’ Ipswich man has walked free from court after pleading guilty to 13 charges including assaulting a police officer.

Thomas William Diamond, 36, appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday (June 30) for offences including four counts of possessing a dangerous drug, one of possessing explosives, one of unlawfully possessing a weapon, one of assaulting a police officer and one of obstructing a police officer — which he pleaded guilty to at an earlier date.

The court heard the offending was carried out on three occasions from December, 2020 to February last year.

The earliest charges arose after police executed a search warrant and found 90g of cannabis, some MDMA and other drugs, clipseal bags, a grinder, scales, scissors, capsules, pipes, fireworks, a credit card knife and a flick knife in Diamond’s possession.

Some of the more serious charges were laid after a “to and fro” between Diamond and police officers, at his front door.

Diamond pulled down blinds, refused to open the door, confronted police in the doorway with a crowbar then grabbed a police officer’s arm and refused to let go.

The court heard the officer was scratched on the arm.

In February last year, police found more cannabis, pipes, cones and scales in Diamond’s possession when they executed a third search warrant.

Defence barrister Stephen Kissick described his client as a “very complex man when it comes to dealing with him”.

“As a result of ongoing bullying since childhood, he has developed ... a victim perspective about himself and a strong drive for vengeance against perceived injustice against himself,” Mr Kissick said.

The court heard Diamond was involved in a number of major incidents which caused him to have a poor opinion of police, justice and himself.

It is understood he also suffered a brain injury at some stage before the offending.

Thomas William Diamond, 36.

Mr Kissick said his client suffered bullying as a child, was beaten in 2013 by passengers while he was working as a bus driver, was involved in a car “incident” in 2014, was injured in a watch-house in 2015 and was subjected to a home invasion last year.

He said Diamond was now on a disability support pension and had limited prospects of returning to work.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Nick Turnbull, said regardless of the reasons for his behaviour, Diamond had demonstrated an unacceptable and continued defiance of police.

Magistrate Dennis Kinsella said he considered Diamond’s pleas of guilty to be early, noting his “largely irrelevant” criminal history and the “unusual and complex” circumstances surrounding the matter.

“It goes without saying that you clearly have a perceived idea of an injustice,” Mr Kinsella told Diamond.

“You have, in your mind, concerns about police and how police have interacted with you and so forth.”

Diamond was sentenced to 18 months’ probation but clapped to show his displeasure with the penalty.

“This does feel like a railroading,” he said.

“I did not assault that police officer.”

But Diamond later agreed to the probation order.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Thomas William Diamond: Man with ‘victim complex’ walks free after assaulting police