WA man charged with assaulting police officer after attempted arrest in Mullewa
Police said the officers were responding to a reported domestic violence incident in Mullewa, 450 kilometres north of Perth, on Tuesday afternoon when they were allegedly attacked by 29-year-old Ronald James Gregory Merry.
Mr Merry, who faced Geraldton Magistrates Court on Tuesday, allegedly punched a 47-year-old woman, who reported the incident to police.
In police body-worn camera footage played to the court, Mr Merry appeared agitated as the two officers questioned him about the alleged earlier assault.
He could be heard telling officers, "I'll grab your handcuffs and take you to jail," repeatedly calling them "c*nts" and telling them "to go".
"Go now before I knock you out," he was heard saying in the footage.
The footage showed two officers tell Mr Merry he was under arrest, and attempt to pull him up by his arms.
It showed Mr Merry then repeatedly punch the male officer in the face and head, knocking him to the ground and continuing to hit him.
The footage then captured the officer's female colleague attempting to pepper spray Mr Merry, who began throwing punches at her.
The 29-year-old then turned his attention back to the male officer, punching him several times in the head while the police officer remained on the ground.
The female officer then attempted to taser Mr Merry, who fled the scene and ran out of the house.
Police located him several hours after the incident, charging him with a string of offences, including aggravated assault, escaping lawful custody and assaulting a public officer.
The female officer was treated at the Mullewa Nursing Post, and the male officer was flown to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth.
Magistrate Matthew Walton noted the male officer's injuries showed bruising and an apparently closed-over eye.
Police alleged Mr Merry had been drinking and using methamphetamine the previous night.
Defence counsel Matt Reen requested Mr Merry be released on bail, although he noted the prosecution's case was strong.
Magistrate Walton denied bail, remarking the body-worn footage was "clear" and "stark" in supporting the alleged facts of the matter.
He noted Mr Merry's history of breaching court orders, and the "inevitability" of an immediate term of imprisonment following a conviction.
Mr Merry was remanded in custody and will return to court in October.
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