A man has been charged after allegedly assaulting police and attempting to grab a police firearm in Byron Bay, NSW Police say.
About 10pm (Friday 18 May 2018), police were called to attend the intersection of Jonson and Lawson Streets, after reports of an assault.
Police spoke to a man who alleged he was assaulted by a 43-year-old man with a metal pole.
Officers located that man near the intersection of Johnson and Bay Streets, and placed him under arrest.
He allegedly made verbal threats towards the arresting officers, before violently resisting arrest.
During the struggle the man tried to remove a police officer’s firearm from its holster.
He also allegedly took hold of and bit the genital area of one of the officers, and eye gouged another.
Police were assisted by security officers from a nearby licensed premises and the man was brought under control.
He was taken to Byron Bay Police Station where he is being charged with affray, resist police, assault police, and intimidate police.
He was refused bail to appear at Lismore Local Court today (Saturday 19 May 2018).
One officer suffered a burst blood vessel in his left eye, a swollen right hand, back pain and minor abrasions. Another suffered swelling to the groin and abrasions.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident who has not yet spoken to police to contact Byron Bay police on (02) 6685 9499 or Crime Stoppers.
