Post by WaTcHeR on Jan 14, 2007 17:45:45 GMT -5
01.14.2007 - An Aboriginal man whose claims of police brutality sparked a riot in a remote north Queensland community has been re-arrested.
Police said they were called to two disturbances in the Cairns suburb of Mooroobool just after midnight and as a result took 22-year-old Warren Bell back into custody.
He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court again this morning, charged with breaching bail.
Bell was granted bail in the Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday, where he appeared on two charges of assault occasioning bodily harm.
His bail conditions included a curfew between 8pm and 7am and he was ordered not to return to Aurukun.
He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court again this morning over the latest charge.
Bell alleges he was attacked by two police officers on the floor of the Aurukun police station watchhouse following his arrest for allegedly assaulting the manager of the local tavern.
The allegations triggered a riot in the community with an angry mob of around 300 people using weapons, including rocks, metal bars and an axe, to smash the front of the police station on Tuesday night.
Bell's allegations, as well as the use of an unlicensed, private rifle to disperse the mob, are being investigated by the Ethical Standards unit and the Crime and Misconduct Commission.
The six police who came under attack during the riot are expected to return to the embattled community in the next few days after taking a leave of absence.
Nine of the riot's alleged ringleaders also appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court to face a total of 19 charges between them of rioting, serious assault of a police officer and breaking and entering.
Queensland communities minister Warren Pitt, acting police minister Andrew Fraser and Jason O'Brien, the state member for Cook, will fly to Aurukun on Monday to inspect the community.
Deputy Premier Anna Bligh told ABC Radio this morning that she hoped the visit would assist the community to move on from its recent troubles.
" ... Until this latest event Aurukun was one of the best examples of a community that was making strong progress , doing very good work with police and with schools and the health system," Ms Bligh said.
"And we don't want to lose the momentum on all the good work that's been happening."
www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21052672-949,00.html
Police said they were called to two disturbances in the Cairns suburb of Mooroobool just after midnight and as a result took 22-year-old Warren Bell back into custody.
He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court again this morning, charged with breaching bail.
Bell was granted bail in the Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday, where he appeared on two charges of assault occasioning bodily harm.
His bail conditions included a curfew between 8pm and 7am and he was ordered not to return to Aurukun.
He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court again this morning over the latest charge.
Bell alleges he was attacked by two police officers on the floor of the Aurukun police station watchhouse following his arrest for allegedly assaulting the manager of the local tavern.
The allegations triggered a riot in the community with an angry mob of around 300 people using weapons, including rocks, metal bars and an axe, to smash the front of the police station on Tuesday night.
Bell's allegations, as well as the use of an unlicensed, private rifle to disperse the mob, are being investigated by the Ethical Standards unit and the Crime and Misconduct Commission.
The six police who came under attack during the riot are expected to return to the embattled community in the next few days after taking a leave of absence.
Nine of the riot's alleged ringleaders also appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court to face a total of 19 charges between them of rioting, serious assault of a police officer and breaking and entering.
Queensland communities minister Warren Pitt, acting police minister Andrew Fraser and Jason O'Brien, the state member for Cook, will fly to Aurukun on Monday to inspect the community.
Deputy Premier Anna Bligh told ABC Radio this morning that she hoped the visit would assist the community to move on from its recent troubles.
" ... Until this latest event Aurukun was one of the best examples of a community that was making strong progress , doing very good work with police and with schools and the health system," Ms Bligh said.
"And we don't want to lose the momentum on all the good work that's been happening."
www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21052672-949,00.html