NT: Cop charged with assaulting mentally ill man, who later died
By Tara RavensMon Oct 26 16:22:03 EST 2009
Mon Oct 26 05:22:03 UTC 2009
DARWIN, Oct 26 AAP - A Northern Territory policeman has been charged with assaulting a mentally ill filmmaker, who died almost a week later in hospital.
Documentary maker Bob Plasto's heart stopped in the Royal Darwin Hospital on December 28, 2007.
The one-time ABC journalist, who had bipolar disorder, had been picked up by police in Darwin's CBD six days earlier.
The 57-year-old was taken to the hospital for a mental health assessment and had been waiting there for almost two hours when he told police he wanted to go outside, a coronial inquest heard earlier this year.
The father of four never regained consciousness after police restrained him when he tried to exit through ambulance bay doors.
NT Coroner Greg Cavanagh in June found police had used "excessive force" on Mr Plasto, who was the first independent film producer to enter post-revolution Iran.
Mr Cavanagh referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions, saying a "litany of errors" had resulted in a "tragic and unnecessary" death.
The coroner also recommended better training for police in the use of restraint and in dealing with mentally ill patients.
The DPP has subsequently charged Senior Constable Bradley Fox with aggravated assault and he is due to face court on November 9.
Acting Commissioner Bruce Wernham said police had "taken up" all of the coroner's recommendations.
"Following the Director of Public Prosecution's decision to charge Senior Constable Fox he will be summonsed, however he will remain attached to Darwin Station and will not be suspended from duty," he said in a statement.
"Given the matter is now pending a court process I cannot comment further until the conclusion of the proceedings."
