‘Relief’ as cop charged with assaulting protester named
The federal Greens candidate has declared that “justice is no closer to being served” as the name of the police officer who allegedly attacked him at a pro-Palestinian demonstration was publicly named for the first time.
Hannah Thomas suffered a serious eye injury requiring surgery when she was arrested outside a Sydney business during a protest over arms supplies to Israel on 27 June.
Senior Constable Christopher Davis, 33, was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm resulting from violent altercation.
About 20 protesters gathered outside Bankstown Local Court to demand justice for Ms Thomas before the officer’s case comes before a judge for the first time on Tuesday.
Sen Const Davis was not required to appear in court and the case was adjourned until January 21.
His employment with NSW Police is under review.
Ms. Thomas did not attend but shared a statement welcoming the accusations.
“I am not ready to face the police officer who (allegedly) punched me, and that’s why I couldn’t be here,” he said in a statement read to the crowd.
“It is comforting that this man, Senior Constable Christopher Davis, has finally been held to account and I hope every police officer in this country sees this outcome as a warning.”
While leaders defended the actions of the now-accused officer, he added that other officers should have responded for initially leveling “obviously ridiculous accusations” against him and other protesters.
“Until senior police ministers, premiers, chief ministers and arms companies are held to account… then justice cannot be served anywhere.”
Ms Thomas, who is around 155cm tall and weighs around 45kg, was charged with obstructing or resisting police during a footpath protest in June and twice refusing to comply with instructions to advance.
Criminal charges were also filed against four other protesters, including a charge of offensive language against one person.
Prosecutors dropped the charges in September after widespread criticism and he was ordered to pay legal costs.
The senior police officer initially defended the officers’ actions and resisted calls to launch a critical incident investigation; this triggered oversight measures, including the involvement of a separate command.
The arrests are currently being reviewed by the police monitor under external oversight.
Ms Thomas’ lawyers brought a civil claim in the High Court for malicious prosecution and assault and battery by police.
Protesters were demonstrating against the Belmore metal factory SEC Plating, which has denied links to the Israeli Defense Force.
Ms Thomas came in second place to the premier in Sydney’s western seat of Grayndler in May’s federal election.
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