Taylor Swift Eras Tour: Aussie photographer who was allegedly punched in the face by US pop star’s dad in Sydney slams cops for abandoning the investigation

A veteran photographer who accused Taylor Swift’s father of punching him in the face during her recent Australian tour has expressed bitter disappointment that police will not take further action.

The pop star had just performed her final Australian show of The Eras Tour in Sydney when the alleged incident involving photographer Ben McDonald, 51, occurred in the early hours of February 27.

Swift and her father, Scott Swift, 71, had traveled on a luxury yacht from the suburb of Homebush to the ferry terminal in Neutral Bay in the city’s north when Scott was accused of hitting McDonald, who was waiting for an opportunity to attack them photographing.

NSW Police launched an investigation into the incident and spent four weeks obtaining statements from witnesses and reviewing video and CCTV footage.

The investigation concluded on Tuesday without charges being filed or any further action taken against Mr Swift.

Mr McDonald – the CEO of Matrix Media Group – has since expressed his disappointment at the police decision. The photographer also claimed he was inundated with threats and abuse from Swift fans via email and phone.

Mr McDonald also publicly shared the email police sent him on Tuesday.

“The evidence presented by Scott SWIFT and other witnesses established the self-defense of another as a defense (lawful excuse) for the crime of common assault, placing the prosecutor on the burden of disproving it,” the email from the prosecutor said. Police.

“Upon review of the evidence and legal advice, this cannot be refuted by the prosecution.”

Mr McDonald claimed detectives told him they were has obtained statements from four members of Swift’s international security team who were present at the time, as well as information from Mr Swift through his legal counsel.

He also claimed he was told there were no licensed Australian security personnel present at the time.

Mr McDonald has asked his lawyer to review the findings, particularly the use of ‘self-defence as a defense to the crime of common assault’.

‘It is difficult to imagine that Mr Swift had so little confidence in the skills and expertise of Taylor’s highly trained Close Personal Protection team, many of whom are former special forces soldiers, that he felt he had to personally defend his daughters had to come. ‘ and punched me directly in the face,’ he claimed in a statement.

“I believe Mr. Swift was tired and irritated because we found the spot where they took his daughter off the boat, as evidenced by the video of him giving us the middle finger.

“(I believe he) just barged in and saw the opportunity to vent his frustrations with a punch while I was further distracted by the bodyguards.”

Taylor Swift returned to her hotel with her entourage as the alleged incident between her father and a paparazzi photographer unfolded

Matrix Media photographer Ben McDonald (photo) says he is disappointed with the findings of the police investigation

Mr. McDonald claimed he has not had any contact with Scott Swift either directly or through a representative.

“I’m not surprised by this and I doubt there will ever be an apology,” he said.

Mr McDonald also fired back at Swifties, who he said targeted him with threats and abuse.

“I find these especially funny because I believe they mainly come from young fans who are just lashing out in defense of their idol and I don’t take them seriously,” he said.

“That said, overall I believe the police work hard and I thank them for their time regardless of the outcome.”

The alleged incident took place after Swift’s final show in Australia for The Eras Tour