A 27-YEAR-OLD man tried to stop police officers from arresting “the wrong person” in a brawl at the Mount Isa Race Club, his legal representative said.
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The 27-year-old, Donald Raymond Simmons, obstructed police who were trying to arrest someone else during the fight on the night of Saturday, September 24.
It was the same brawl in which a police officer was hospitalised after a 25-year-old man allegedly tried to choke him.
ATSILS solicitor Penny Hallan said her client Simmons had obstructed police without violence.
“Mr Simmons had seen something take place,” Ms Hallan said.
“He believed police were arresting the wrong person while the person who had been involved was walking away.”
It was Simmon’s “misguided way” of doing the right thing, she said.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Karen Hall said police were patrolling the race club’s deck area that night when they saw a group of people fighting.
While a friend was being arrested, Simmons persistently pushed past officers and got in their way.
Officers did not arrest Simmons immediately. They were concerned with the care of the officer who had been badly injured in the fight, Sergeant Hall said.
Simmons pleaded guilty to obstructing police in the vicinity of a licensed premises, and to being drunk and disorderly. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine.
Another man, Kayne Gerard Slann, faces charges from the same event.
Mr Slann is charged with serious assault of a police officer, and unlawfully assaulting or willfully obstructing a public officer while the officer is performing a function of his duties.
His next court mention is in the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on December 5.