Man charged over alleged assault on officer at Burleigh Heads

A night time police patrol has allegedly turned violent at Burleigh Heads with an officer assaulted. Read what went down.

A police officer is the latest victim in an escalating wave of violence at Burleigh Heads – allegedly assaulted while trying to make an arrest.

The constable was working the Southern Gold Coast beat with other officers on Friday night, when a Queensland Police Service spokesman (QPS) said they came across a wanted man.

“Around 9.30pm, officers were patrolling along The Esplanade when they observed the man, who was wanted on a warrant after allegedly failing to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on May 2,” the QPS spokesman said.

“When officers attempted to arrest him, the man allegedly refused to comply.”

It’s alleged the male assaulted the constable before he was restrained and taken into custody. He has since been charged with one count each of fail to appear in accordance with undertaking and serious assault police.

The incident at the weekend, is the latest in a growing number of violent alleged assaults at the popular nightlife hotspot so far this year, including:

• An alleged gang bashing on Australia Day in which up to 30 teens assault two boys near Justin Park, leaving one of the victims with a broken eye socket and another with a broken jaw.
  
• A violent robbery along The Esplanade in which a 45-year-old man was punched to the ground. A group of males then stole the victim’s phone and wallet before leaving in a four-wheel drive.
  
• Two separate alleged assaults that left one man with a broken nose and another in hospital with facial injuries.

In September the suburb’s crime wave hit a crisis point following an alleged assault that claimed the life of 22-year-old Cameron Duce. He had been walking home from a night out with friends.

Police have charged 18-year-old Austin Ballard with unlawful striking causing death.

Originally published as Man charged over alleged assault on officer at Burleigh Heads