Perth man cops $5000 fine for below-the-belt assault on police officer at Kalgan Stampede

A 32-year-old Perth man grabbed a police officer’s testicles at an Albany rodeo event in an assault that left the officer needing hospital treatment for the next two days. Kyle David Jones appeared in Albany Magistrates Court via audio link last Thursday and pleaded guilty to assaulting a public officer. The court was told Jones was escorted out of the Kalgan Stampede about 7.45pm on December 27 for being too intoxicated. After climbing the fence and re-entering the venue, Jones lashed out at a liquor enforcement officer, grabbing the man’s testicles. Jones only released his grip after the officer hit him several times in response to experiencing severe pain to a “sensitive area”. Police prosecutor Sgt Dave Loverock told the court that when two police officers first approached Jones at the event he “threw himself on the ground”. The father of two was escorted out but then climbed the fence, gaining entry again 10 minutes later. Jones pushed past the officer, saying “I’ll have you, you copper c...”, then tried to throw a punch before he was tripped by the officer, Sgt Loverock said. After a struggle on the ground, Jones broke free, reached between the officer’s legs and grabbed his testicles, Sgt Loverock said. The 61-year-old officer suffered prolonged pain and nausea after the assault. He required hospital treatment for the next two days. Sgt Loverock said a term of imprisonment was appropriate for the “completely unnecessary” attack. “The officer is simply doing his duty and he is assaulted in a sensitive area,” he said. But Sgt Loverock conceded that a conditionally suspended prison sentence would allow Jones to get help with his alcohol issue. Defence lawyer David Manera said his client had no recollection of the assault and had “reflected on his alcohol consumption”. Albany Magistrate Dianne Scaddan told Jones he was on the “cusp of a term of imprisonment”. She fined him $5000.