http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/19/2166114.htm?site=wa
Two men face jail over police bashing
Posted February 19, 2008 07:35:00
Updated February 19, 2008 08:16:00
A Perth judge has told two men they are likely to be jailed for assaulting police officers during a brawl at Meektharra two years ago.
Leonard Wells and Peter Laylan stood trial accused of bashing three constables who had gone to the Meekathara Hotel to try to break up a brawl that erupted after a funeral in March 2006.
The jury deliberated for more than five hours before convicting Laylan of two charges of assaulting a public officer and Wells of one charge.
Wells, who is the father of A-F-L player, Daniel Wells, was found not guilty of another charge of causing grievous bodily harm to a third constable who suffered a broken eye socket.
District Court Judge Kate O'Brien remanded the men in custody telling them a jail term was likely when they are sentenced in April.
She said in her view the officers had done nothing whatsoever to provoke the assaults.
Unioin disappointed
The President of the Western Australian Police Union, Mike Dean, says it is disappointing no one will be held accountable for a constable being left with a broken eye socket and temporary loss of vision.
"Well I think it certainly shows that when violence starts the consequences for not only police officers but anyone can be horrendous," he said.
"If it was not him it was someone else, and I think it's deplorable that people get away with this kind of conduct.
"Obviously the charges that they've been found guilty on we look forward to the Judge's sentencing on those charges."
Two men face jail over police bashing
Posted February 19, 2008 07:35:00
Updated February 19, 2008 08:16:00
A Perth judge has told two men they are likely to be jailed for assaulting police officers during a brawl at Meektharra two years ago.
Leonard Wells and Peter Laylan stood trial accused of bashing three constables who had gone to the Meekathara Hotel to try to break up a brawl that erupted after a funeral in March 2006.
The jury deliberated for more than five hours before convicting Laylan of two charges of assaulting a public officer and Wells of one charge.
Wells, who is the father of A-F-L player, Daniel Wells, was found not guilty of another charge of causing grievous bodily harm to a third constable who suffered a broken eye socket.
District Court Judge Kate O'Brien remanded the men in custody telling them a jail term was likely when they are sentenced in April.
She said in her view the officers had done nothing whatsoever to provoke the assaults.
Unioin disappointed
The President of the Western Australian Police Union, Mike Dean, says it is disappointing no one will be held accountable for a constable being left with a broken eye socket and temporary loss of vision.
"Well I think it certainly shows that when violence starts the consequences for not only police officers but anyone can be horrendous," he said.
"If it was not him it was someone else, and I think it's deplorable that people get away with this kind of conduct.
"Obviously the charges that they've been found guilty on we look forward to the Judge's sentencing on those charges."
