Updated
Three men have been released on bail after being charged over a violent brawl in St Kilda which left two police officers in hospital.
Key points:
- The group of five had been at 30th birthday party on Fitzroy St, in St Kilda
- A verbal altercation broke out involving two other people nearby
- Police were allegedly attacked by members of the group as they tried to arrest Trent Potts
Trent Potts, 26, Phillip O’Donnell, 38, and Jules Tobin, 26, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with offences including two counts of assaulting police, affray, violent disorder, intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offences.
Magistrate Andrew McKenna said the incident was “appalling” and “extremely violent”.
But he agreed to release the trio on bail with strict conditions, including weekly reporting to police.
Mr Potts and Mr O’Donnell were banned from leaving the state.
Two co-accused appeared in court over the same incident on Monday.
Trent Potts’ sister, Kayla Potts, 25, was released on bail and her fiance Jack Houldcroft was remanded in custody.
The group had been at a 30th birthday party on Fitzroy Street around 3:00am on Sunday, when they became involved in a verbal altercation with two unknown men near a taxi stand.
The court heard a woman attempted to defuse the argument when Mr Potts allegedly began “hurling abuse” at her before allegedly “kicking her in the genitals”.
Two police officers at the scene were attempting to arrest Mr Potts when they were allegedly attacked by the other four, including Mr Tobin, who was a member of the band hired to play at the birthday party.
It was alleged Ms Potts punched one of the officers before getting hit by a policeman’s flashlight, requiring hospital treatment.
Police alleged Mr O’Donnell attacked a police officer from behind before smashing his head into the ground six times.
They also alleged Mr Tobin kicked and spat on officers, while Mr Potts allegedly punched the officers while repeatedly attempting to run away from them while they tried to restrain him.
Both police officers were taken to hospital as a result of their injuries.
One police officer suffered a torn bicep muscle, which required surgery, while the other suffered extensive bruising and swelling around the eye and possible facial fractures.
The three men will return to court with the other two co-accused in June.
The group will face the prospect of a mandatory jail term, since the Victorian Government changed sentencing laws to make assaulting an emergency worker — including police — a category 1 offence under the Sentencing Act, meaning courts have to impose a minimum six-month jail sentence.
Police are still searching for another two people they believe were involved in the incident.
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