Downfall of a Home and Away star: Kate Richie’s onscreen lover, 46, is revealed to be DYING from an incurable disease – as court hears he can’t ‘control his impulses’ after he was charged with bashing female cop
- Former Home & Away actor Joel McIlroy, 46, allegedly assaulted a female officer
- He faced a court in Sydney on Wednesday and was refused bail by magistrate
- McIlroy allegedly punched the constable in Surry Hills on Tuesday morning
- He was told to leave a group before allegedly shoulder-charging the officer
- His lawyer said McIlroy was diagnosed ten years ago with Huntington’s disease
An ex-Home and Away actor accused of assaulting a female police officer is dying from an incurable disease, his lawyer revealed in court.
Joel McIlroy, 46, allegedly punched the senior constable several times and shoulder-charged her during the arrest of another man in Sydney’s Surry Hills on Tuesday.
The former soap star broke down in tears as he was refused bail on Wednesday, meaning he would spend at least two weeks behind bars.
Joel McIlroy, 46, (left with fellow Home and Away stars Kate Richie and Lynne McGranger) allegedly punched a senior constable multiple times and shoulder-charged her as he intervened in the arrest of another man in Sydney’s Surry Hills on Tuesday
The former soap star (pictured) broke down in tears as he was refused bail on Wednesday, meaning he would spend at least two weeks behind bars
McIlroy shouted ‘lies … that’s incorrect’ as a police prosecutor alleged in Central Local Court he also tried to put his arm around the officer’s neck in a headlock.
A Legal Aid lawyer representing the former Silver Logie nominee told the court he was diagnosed ten years ago with Huntington’s disease, The Daily Telegraph reported.
His counsel said the disease – which has already claimed the life of McIlroy’s father – meant he was not always able to ‘control his impulses’.
McIlroy was convicted of an assault charge in 2013.
The court heard the policewoman will need physiotherapy after the alleged assault caused her soft tissue damage, a dislodged vertebrae and cheek swelling, news.com.au reported.
The prosecution said a conviction could see McIlroy face seven years behind bars.
McIlroy played Kate Ritchie’s on-screen wife in the long-running soap, appearing on the show for more than a decade between 1994 and 2006.
McIlroy (left, allegedly in a scuffle with police right) shouted ‘lies … that’s incorrect’ as a police prosecutor alleged in Central Local Court he also tried to put his arm around the officer’s neck in a headlock
Police allege another man was under arrest on Rutland Street for minor property-related offences about 11.15am on Tuesday, when McIlroy approached the group.
He was not involved in the incident and was directed to leave by police when he approached, police said.
McIlroy then allegedly shoulder-charged and punched the female constable.
Police attempted to arrest him before a scuffle broke out, causing the 46-year-old and two officers to fall to the ground.
A member of the public then became involved as McIlroy was arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station.
McIlroy was charged with two counts of assaulting an officer while on duty, resisting an officer on duty and wilfully obstructing an officer while on duty.
His next court appearance is scheduled for November 5.
The policewoman will need physiotherapy the court heard, after the alleged assault caused her soft tissue damage, a dislodged vertebrae and cheek swelling (McIlroy pictured with singer/actress Tammin Sursok in 2005)