The six people accused of participating in a horrific attack on two police officers on Melbourne’s busy St Kilda strip have now been charged – and released back into the community.
It comes as Daily Mail Australia can reveal the full police version of events leading up to the alleged attack, including the venues the accused had attended before all hell broke loose.
Footage of a vicious assault on Senior Constables Adam McKenzie and Darren Shepherd went viral after it was captured on Fitzroy Street late last month.
Jake Mitchell, 26, of Frankston fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday where he faced seven charges including assaulting police, affray, violent disorder, intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offences.
Jake Mitchell runs for cover after leaving the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday. He allegedly held a policeman down and kicked him in the head during a violent altercation caught on video
Jack Houldcroft and his partner Kayla Potts are both accused of attacking a policeman. Holdcroft can allegedly be seen in dramatic video wearing a yellow shirt. Potts was cracked in the head by police with a torch
The hearing was over in minutes with Mitchell making a run for it when approached by a Daily Mail Australia photographer outside court.
Mitchell is alleged to have held down a policeman and kicked him in the head during the all-in-brawl, which was filmed by shocked passers-by along the busy precinct.
Police had not opposed his release on bail and had earlier bailed him from the police station.
His co-accused, Jack Houldcroft, 27, was also released from jail after spending 19 days in custody.
Police had opposed his release, arguing he was a risk of committing further offences.
Jack Houldcroft, 27, (pictured centre) was released from jail after spending 19 days in custody
Houldcroft was pictured smiling as he arrived at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday
He had been the only one of the six accused not to apply for bail after being arrested.
Police are convinced they now have each of the offenders responsible for the alleged assaults, which left both officers with nasty injuries.
The men join Jules Jerome Tobin, 26, Trent Potts, 26, Phillip O’Donnell, 38, and Potts’ 25-year-old sister – and Houdcroft’s partner – Kayla Potts, free on bail.
They are expected back in court in June where they face mandatory prison sentences of six months each if found guilty of the attacks.
On release of the video, senior police described the footage as ‘animalistic’ and the state premier slammed it as ‘disgusting’.
Now, the police version of events of the night can be revealed.
Tobin had been fronting a band at a 30th birthday party attended by the group at Cushion Bar before they all headed off to Poison nightclub.
Police claim trouble started when Trent Potts got into a heated argument with a transgender woman outside of the pub they had been in.
He allegedly kicked her in the testicles. Police were called and arrived on the scene just as the group were about to board a taxi.
Potts, who was allegedly wearing a pink shirt, was identified and questioned by Mr McKenzie.
Detective Senior Constable Jacob Laidlaw told the court Potts then broke free and made a run for it.
Mr Shepherd took chase but tripped on the gutter, he said.
Potts then allegedly shaped up to Mr McKenzie before striking him.
The experienced officer took him down as his partner ran to help.
It was then that police allege Kayla Potts struck Mr McKenzie from behind.
Police allege Houldcroft (second from left) spear tackled an officer and punched and kicked another
Mitchell faces seven charges including assaulting police, affray, violent disorder, intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offences
Poison on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda: The group had been partying at the night club before a fight broke out outside the venue and the police were called
The group had attended a 30th birthday party at Cushion earlier that evening. The group moved on to Poison where trouble spilled out onto Fitzroy Street and police were called
He retaliated with a Mag light torch to the side of her head.
Police allege O’Donnell then attacked Mr Shepherd from behind, slamming his head repeatedly into the footpath while Mitchell held him down.
They further allege Houldcroft punched and kicked Mr McKenzie as he lay on the ground while Tobin allegedly spat on him and kicked him twice.
Houldcroft then allegedly ‘spear tackled’ Mr Shepherd after he got to his feet.
He was hit with pepper spray, but the men fled, leaving Kayla Potts injured on the ground.
Video of the incident shocked the nation and went viral soon after its release on social media.
She took herself to hospital and was arrested later that day.
Senior Constable Laidlow told an earlier hearing that officer Shepherd had sustained horrific injuries, including a ruptured bicep.
‘It’s quite a strong case and it’s only going to get stronger,’ the detective said.
In arguing for Houldcroft’s release, his lawyer William Barker said the only reason he hadn’t been released earlier was because a duty lawyer advised him not to apply for bail.
The court heard Houldcroft had previously been convicted of a violent offence and had a three-month suspended prison term imposed on him nine years ago.
But police conceded he was a low risk of reoffending while out on bail.
In arguing for Houldcroft’s (left) release, his lawyer William Barker said the only reason he hadn’t been released earlier was because a duty lawyer advised him not to apply for bail
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.