The officer was punched so forcefully that he fell to the ground and injured his jaw and chin.
Camera IconThe officer was punched so forcefully that he fell to the ground and injured his jaw and chin. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Officer assaulted in Scarborough

Kate LeaverStirling Times

At 9.50pm on November 8, the man drove past a stationary police vehicle on Coral Street, allegedly travelling over 100km/h.

Police officers attempted to stop the driver but he continued to evade police before losing control of the car at the intersection of Deanmore and Jeanes roads.

An officer approached the car and was punched by the man so forcefully he was knocked to the ground.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

The injured officer was taken to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital with an extensive cut to his chin requiring numerous stitches, an injured jaw and damage to his teeth.

Police Minister Liza Harvey said her heart went out to the police officer who was punched.

“He’s just doing his job, people need to respect the blue shirts and they should not be smashing our police officers in the face and causing such damage to them,” Ms Harvey said.

“That’s why we introduced the mandatory penalties for people who assault police officers and also the mandatory penalties for offenders who evade police and travel at speed recklessly.”

Ms Harvey said it was “absolutely appropriate” for the offender to face jail time.

“If he is convicted, the court now has the ability to send him away to jail for a mandatory minimum of six months for assaulting the officer,” she said.

The 24-year-old man was charged by Mirrabooka Police with having a blood alcohol level in excess of 0.08, failing to stop, reckless driving, driving an unlicensed vehicle and assaulting a public officer.