Man "tazed" after abusing cops

by Tristan Broomhall

April 11, 2008

A 27-year-old man pleaded guilty in Fremantle Magistrates Court on April 11 to three charges relating to an aggressive outburst at police on March 3.

Sean Eckersley appeared before Magistrate Jacqueline Musk to explain what took place in front of a family member’s home in the Kwinana suburb of Parmelia, and while in custody at the Hilton police station.

The prosecuting police sergeant said, that after becoming aggressive while drinking at the Parmelia home, Eckersley was asked to leave and was confronted by two police while exiting the front door.

He attempted to barge past the officers, but was grabbed on the shoulder, the prosecutor said. He then began abusing the male and female police officers and obstructing them.

When Eckersley refused to cooperate, the prosecutor said, the female cop unclipped the holster of her stun gun, in view of the defendant, to which he responded: “What are you gonna do, taze me? Taze me, go ahead.”

He then threatened to kill the female officer before she unholstered the tazer and zapped him with it.

The prosecution said, that while in custody, Eckersley was uncooperative and further threatened and abused police.

In reaching a decision, Magistrate Musk took into account the defendant’s successful rehabilitation from methamphetamine addiction. He was also willing to attend anger management and other rehab’ programs, she noted.