The death of a woman in custody after being assaulted by a guard in the Australian Capital Territory’s bushland
Posted October 09, 2018 09:16:54 The death on Monday of a 22-year-old woman in the custody of a guard who allegedly assaulted her has sparked outrage in Tasmania’s bushlands.
It came as the ACT Government released a scathing report into the death of the woman, who was assaulted by the guard.
The woman’s death sparked widespread anger among Tasmanians and the ACT Police, which has since launched a police inquiry into the case.
“There is a significant public concern about the case and its outcome,” Tasmania Police said in a statement.
“We have taken immediate action to investigate this matter.”
The incident took place at the end of May at the Morningside Estate, a campground in the Taree region, near the capital, Hobart.
A member of the public who was camping at the time reported that a man, who police believe was the guard, had assaulted the woman and was about to leave when he saw the woman fall.
The man then approached the woman from behind, grabbed her and punched her in the head and face.
He then pushed her down onto the ground, and then grabbed her by the throat, and threw her onto the bush.
She fell face-first onto the grass.
The guard was charged with aggravated assault.
Tasmanian Police Commissioner Michael Farrar told reporters on Monday the woman’s family were “horrified”.
“She was a young woman, she was very vulnerable and she was a mother, she had two children and she had a lot of other issues,” he said.
“She is a very loved and valued member of our community.”
Police said the woman had been treated for bruising and abrasions to her face and neck, but there was no evidence to suggest she was suffering from mental health issues.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Michael McQuade said in the statement that the guard had been charged with assault, grievous bodily harm and breach of bail.
“While the circumstances of this incident remain under investigation, it would appear that the conduct of the guard is an unacceptable breach of his bail conditions,” he wrote.
Tasmanians reacted with outrage, with many calling for an independent investigation into the guard’s actions.
“If you can’t handle the fact that this person’s daughter was abused in this way, you shouldn’t be there,” former Greens leader Simon Birmingham told the ABC.
“I think this is just a disgusting thing to happen.”
In Tasmania’s capital, Canberra, there was widespread anger at the death, with Canberra Mayor Linda Reynolds saying: “The people of Canberra are furious.
Police Commissioner Farrart also expressed his disgust over the incident, writing on Twitter: “I’m appalled that this woman has died after being beaten by a man who was attempting to flee from police. “
It’s a shame that we can’t do anything to stop this, and it’s a disgrace that we cannot take steps to ensure that this happens in the future.”
Police Commissioner Farrart also expressed his disgust over the incident, writing on Twitter: “I’m appalled that this woman has died after being beaten by a man who was attempting to flee from police.
It is an assault on her dignity and I am appalled at the actions that led up to it.”
The ACT Police has launched a criminal investigation into what happened to the woman.