Two people charged with assaulting police over the weekend

A man and a woman will face court in January, each charged with assaulting a frontline community service provider. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Two people will face the ACT Magistrates Court next year after being charged with assaulting frontline community service providers in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday morning (12-13 December).

The first person, a 20-year-old Hughes woman, allegedly assaulted a police officer at about 2:40 am on Saturday following an incident where police had been called to assist when the woman and a man had been refused entry to licensed premises and then refused to leave the area.

The woman will be summonsed to face court on Thursday, 14 January 2021, charged with assaulting a frontline community service provider, resisting a territory public official and re-entering a premises after being refused admission.

The second person, a 37-year-old Symonston man, was one of two men involved in a physical altercation in East Row, Canberra City at about 2:30 am on Sunday.

Police will allege that after they separated the men, the 37-year-old refused to supply his name and address and subsequently assaulted one of the officers.

The man will be summonsed to face court on Friday, 15 January 2021, charged with assaulting a frontline community service provider, obstructing a territory public official and refusing to provide a name and address to police.

ACT Policing Acting Superintendent North District Colin Giumelli said both incidents were avoidable.

“Canberra’s nightlife is starting to return to ‘normal’ with more people out at night as COVID-19 restrictions ease, and we’re happy to see people having a good time,” said Acting Superintendent Giumelli.

“Unfortunately, over the weekend these people clearly went too far, and now they’ll have to face the court to answer for their actions.

“I’m asking people to think about what they’re doing, especially if they’ve had a few drinks; Police will be looking out for antisocial behaviour over the holiday period, and those caught doing the wrong thing will have their evening cut short.