Mother, son cop assault claim

A MAN accused of deliberately ramming into the car of an offduty cop before assaulting him on the side of the road allegedly had an unlikely accomplice – his 66- year- old mum.

Adrian James Sugden, 39, of Rosslea, was denied bail in the Townsville Magistrates Court after an incident on Tuesday about 3pm, when he allegedly tailgated an off- duty constable as he left Stuart Police Station for the day.

The court was told Sugden, at the intersection with University Drive, pulled up beside the officer and yelled: “You dog pig c***, I know where you live. You’re dead c***.”

He then allegedly accelerated and rammed into the back of the officer’s private car, before mounting the kerb and crashing into a steel pole.

Police have alleged Sugden, his fists clenched and with “pinpoint eyes”, approached the officer, shouting: “You f*** ed up now. You tried to kill me. You’re dead c***.”

He then allegedly began attacking the officer.

It is alleged Sugden’s 66year- old mother, who had been in the car with him, then began assaulting the police officer as well.

The court was told members of the public intervened to help the officer and Sugden was eventually restrained.

Stuart Police Station Officer- in- Charge Acting Senior Sergeant Rob Pagett said the 33- year- old constable had left the station and noticed a car following him.

“It is unsure why the driver of the utility had targeted the officer at this time,” he said.

“The officer has minor injuries.

“He was shaken by the incident but is in a good condition.

“This officer was on his way home, and it was totally unexpected.”

But Sugden’s run of aggression didn’t end there, the court was told, with the two constables who were with him at the hospital also copping abuse.

“Do you love your family? You made a huge mistake, one mistake can cost you everything,” he allegedly said.

“You f*** with my family, I f*** with yours.”

Sugden was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, failure to provide specimen of breath for analysis, obstructing a police officer and serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm.

No pleas were entered and Sugden has been remanded in custody until his next court date on October 31.

His mother was issued with a notice to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court at a later date.