A New Zealander working for the government in Australia is facing charges after allegedly attacking a police officer in Brisbane following last week's State of Origin league final.
Invercargill man Christopher Joseph Windle, 26, allegedly punched Constable Andrew Shaw three times in the head with a closed fist in the
early hours of last Thursday.
Police were called to Uber, a nightclub in Brisbane's West End after a verbal altercation between two men turned into a physical fight.
As officers tried to break up the fight, Windle allegedly punched Constable Andrew Shaw in the head repeatedly, leaving him with concussion, cuts, bruises and swelling to his head.
Mr Shaw had to be taken to nearby Mater Hospital for treatment, but was discharged later in the morning.
Windle, a project manager for the Queensland State Government, appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court charged with serious assault and obstructing police. He was released on bail until his next court appearance, and banned from going within 50m of the nightclub.
His lawyer Davina Wadley fought against the ban, saying it was the first time Windle had ever been to Uber. She said he only went there for the State of Origin celebrations and did not frequent the area.
However her opposition was quashed by Magistrate Noel Nunan, who said if Windle did not go to the area regularly, the ban would not affect him.
"Make sure you keep out of trouble," he told Windle.
Two other men, both aged 22, have also been charged in relation to the incident.
