Dad’s arrest turns violent

A GOLD Coast father hit one police officer in the face and put another through a plaster wall after refusing to accompany them because he had to go to work.

Officers went to a Coomera home on the morning of December 3 last year in search of Owen Taupe Virgil Wilson in relation to an unspecified incident Southport Magistrates Court was told.

Wilson was at the unit with his mother and sister at the time.

The court was told the 39year-old claimed he had work later that day and refused to go with police.

His family members became involved after Wilson was placed under arrest, allegedly shielding the man from the officers and reiterating that he “would not be going anywhere” with police as they had no authority to enter the house.

Wilson’s relatives were soon arrested for obstructing police and forcibly removed from the property.

The court heard Wilson began violently struggling and flailing his arms when additional police tried to arrest him, repeatedly knocking one officer on the jaw without causing injury.

Both Wilson and another officer smashed through a nearby plaster wall during the scuffle, leaving the second victim with several scratches and cuts.

Wilson continued to resist arrest and was eventually taken to the Southport watchhouse.

Defence barrister Nicholas Mcghee told the court the father’s clean criminal history and work with community organisations showed the altercation was an isolated incident of violence.

He said Wilson and his family members were originally from New Zealand, where police were generally unable to enter a resident’s home without a warrant.

“My client was effectively passive until the police became physically and lawfully engaged with his sister and elderly mother, and then he became involved,” Mr Mcghee said.

He said the head injuries Wilson sustained in going through the wall and repair costs he had already paid should also be taken into account.

Wilson pleaded guilty to one count each of assault on police occasioning bodily harm, obstructing police, and assaulting police.

He was placed on probation for 15 months and ordered to pay $1000 in compensation to his second victim. No conviction was recorded.