Backpacker alleges hits rained down

AN ENGLISH backpacker has described begging a police officer to call off an assault as punches “rained down” in a dark alley in the Cairns CBD.

Leigh Matthew Baker, 24, told the Cairns District Court he hid in a Sheridan St alley after fleeing from police early on April 15 last year, but was then attacked.

He said he received “at least” two punches to each side of his head during the altercation with Constable McKinnar and hadn’t tried to fight back.

“I said ‘stop, please stop, please I’m sorry, stop’,” he said.

“I was being struck repeatedly around the head.”

The court heard yesterday Mr Baker was taken into custody by Constable Matt McKinnar and Sen-Constable Brett Chadwick following the alleyway arrest.

He was taken to the Cairns watch house where he was assessed by a paramedic, then charged with public nuisance and obstruct police.

Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane said Mr Baker took himself to hospital the following day where the multiple facial fractures were found and it was after that he returned to the police station and made an assault complaint against Constable McKinnar.

Mr Baker had to undergo facial surgery due to the injuries to his jaw, cheek and eye socket.

He denied a suggestion by defence barrister Stephen Zillman that he had kicked out as Constable McKinnar approached and booted a torch from his hands.

The court heard Mr Baker and his friends had got into a dispute with a bouncer at Gilligan’s about 1am who had refused their entry due to dress code. They had earlier been kicked out of the Woolshed.

Mr Baker said he had been “cheeky” to the bouncer, and was “giving him a bit of lip” before Sen-Constable Chadwick approached and said he was under arrest.

He then fled along Grafton, Shields and Sheridan streets before hiding in the alley.

“I was scared of being under arrest, mixed with being under the influence of alcohol,” he said. “I thought (the alley) was a good spot to hide and then walk back to the hostel.”