New Year’s reveller charged with assault

An Albany man has been charged after allegedly assaulting three police officers at a popular Stirling Terrace bar on New Year’s Eve.

Police said they were called to the White Star Hotel when a 55- year-old man refused to leave the venue after a request from the bar’s security staff.

Police allege while he was being escorted from the venue, he assaulted three officers, with one requiring medical attention at Albany Health Campus.

The man was charged with refusing to leave a licensed premise, two charges of assaulting a public officer and one charge of assaulting a public officer under prescribed circumstances. Footage of the man’s arrest shows several police detaining the individual on the footpath outside the White Star, before he was taken to nearby Albany Police Station on foot.

He will appear in Albany Magistrate’s Court on January 25.

Thousands enjoyed New Year’s Eve celebrations in Albany, with the 9pm and midnight fireworks drawing large crowds.

Sergeant Craig Haven said the alleged assault was the most serious incident of the night, with the public generally well-behaved.

“(We are) generally happy with behaviour of the public,” he said.

“We didn’t have much trouble at all and it was a relatively quiet New Year’s Eve.

“The crowd that went down to fireworks at 9pm were great and well-behaved.”

Sgt Haven said revellers in the CBD partied until about 4am on New Year’s Day.