Policeman cleared of football assault

A TASMANIAN police officer has been cleared of an assault charge relating to an incident during a football match.

During sentencing in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Magistrate Sharon Cure said she could not accept it was not a reasonable use of force in the circumstances by the off duty officer.

“The defendant was on the ground and it was not a faceto-face confrontation,” Magistrate Cure said.

Glenn Dawson, 30, of Perth, had been charged with one count of common assault.

The incident occurred in a match between Bracknell and Bridgenorth on July 6, 2019 at Bridgenorth. The court was told the ball had come towards Bridgenorth player Zachary Griffiths and Mr Dawson moved to smother the ball which had resulted in front-on contact that should have seen a free kick go to Mr Griffiths. Mr Griffith then confronted Mr Dawson and pushed him at least twice, the court was told.

Magistrate Cure said she accepted Mr Dawson had been on the ground or had been trying to get up when he had struck Mr Griffiths on the chin or jaw in reaction to Mr Griffiths pushing him.

Mr Griffiths required surgery for a broken jaw. The prosecution had argued the escalation to the punch or strike had not been reasonable.

The defence argued the sixweek gap between the incident and police interviews impacted evidence.