Housing commission horror caught on film: Cops pepper-spray furious man after being ‘threatened with a carving knife’ in chaotic arrest that left an officer in fear for his life
- Confrontation between police and members of a housing complex was filmed
- NSW Police allege a 28-year-old man approached their vehicle with a knife
- They got out of the car and tried to arrest the man as onlookers yelled at them
- Another man intervened and tried to stop it but was sprayed with pepper spray
- Both men were arrested, taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged
A confrontation between police and a man who allegedly threatened them with a large knife resulted in the officers say pepper-spraying bystanders after the incident left them in fear for their lives.
Police were patrolling near housing commission apartments in Hamilton South in Newcastle, NSW, on Tuesday when a member of the public approached them about a possible brawl nearby.
They drove to Fowler Street to investigate when a 28-year-old man allegedly approached the driver’s window with a large knife and threatened the Senior Constable.
Police are seen arresting the 28-year-old (on the ground) as the 35-year-old (standing behind) intervened and tried to stop the officers in their tracks
One of the officers pepper sprays the 35-year-old during the confrontation, which left the officers in fear for their lives
‘A 28-year-old man allegedly approached the window armed with what can be described as a very large carving knife,’ Newcastle City Police District Commander Superintendent Brett Greentree said.
Another Senior Constable left the patrol car and yelled for the man to drop the knife and sit on the curb before he was placed under arrest.
Video shows a group of onlookers yelling at police with the Senior Constable heard saying: ‘Get back or I’ll spray you.’
A 35-year-old man approached the officers multiple times and tried to stop them arresting the other man.
Another Senior Constable left the patrol car and yelled for the man (in the white shirt) to drop the knife and sit on the curb before he was placed under arrest
A third man kicked the door of the police vehicle as a large group of onlookers gathered.
The officer who was allegedly threatened can be heard yelling ‘get back, get back’.
After both officers pushed the man away, the Senior Constable filming the altercation called for back-up and hit the 35-year-old with pepper spray.
‘I thought I was going to die,’ the officer tells the man who allegedly had the knife.
The 35-year-old man was also arrested for intervening during the arrest and both men were taken to Newcastle Police Station where they were charged.
Video shows a group of onlookers yelling at police with the Senior Constable heard saying: ‘Get back or i’ll spray you
After both officers pushed the man away, the Senior Constable filming the altercation called for back-up and sprayed the 35-year-old (pictured) with pepper spray
The 28-year-old was charged with using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence and was due to face Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old was charged with affray and hinder police and was set to face Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.
Supt Greentree said the alleged crimes were ‘very serious’ and police were still on the lookout for the third man.
‘The allegations are just absolutely unprovoked and cowardly acts,’ Supt Greentree said.