Police assault accused faces court to alter bail conditions

A HINCHINBROOK man who police allege violently assaulted and injured two police officers has appeared in a North Queensland court.

Michael Ross Petersen, 32, who has already spent a month in jail following the June 25 incident, appeared in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday in a bid to change his bail condition.

He is facing a total of eight charges, namely two counts of obstructing a police officer and six counts of serious assault of a police officer.

Senior Sergeant Geoff Bormann told the Townsville Bulletin that two officers from Ingham attended the defendant’s home to serve documents “in relation to another matter”.

Sergeant Bormann said police would allege Petersen immediately became aggressive and a physical confrontation occurred where Petersen violently resisted arrest by kicking officers, placing one officer in a headlock, attempting to grab the firearm of one officer and making death threats.

“The officers managed to overpower Petersen and take him into custody.

“The officers suffered numerous injuries including significant bruising.”

Wearing a tailored tight blue suit, the muscular, short man, represented by Brisbanebased law firm Burns Law, said he needed to move to Southwick Court in Annandale to attend hospital appointments in Townsville.

His bail conditions were changed from having to report to Ingham Police to Mundingburra Police each week.

The Ingham Magistrates Court maintains jurisdiction of the case.