By MICHELLE HERBISON
AN alleged punch to the face landed a Geelong police constable in hospital after an arrest warrant turned ugly, a court heard on Wednesday.
Police informant Detective Senior Constable Louise Connell told Geelong Magistrates’ Court that Christopher Steel, 27, punched the constable when officers visited Mr Steel’s Corio home.
“Today at approximately 8.30am I became aware that police had attended the accused’s address at Corio for three outstanding warrants. Police knocked on the accused’s door and he refused to answer,” she said.
Snr Const Connell said police saw movement inside the house, so a constable entered via an open window to face an “angry” Mr Steel.
The constable used capsicum spray to subdue him, she told the court.
“The accused punched the constable to the left side of the eye. The left cheek was injured and the constable was taken to hospital.”
The police had intended to arrest Mr Steel on charges of making threats to kill and unlawful assault, Snr Const Connell said.
Mr Steel appeard in court dock barely conscious with a pale complexion and wearing a blue one-piece suit.
Defence lawyer Plern Chaya insisted a forensic medical officer assess his “fitness to be interviewed” by police.
“He is known to be psychologically unwell,” she said.
