Extraordinary twist after NYE reveller was filmed being punched by police while pinned to the ground
A NYE reveler who was filmed being punched by a police officer while his colleagues restrained him claims the incident was the result of a misunderstanding.
The dramatic incident took place in front of a crowd of people outside the Brass Monkey Hotel in Perth's Northbridge, just minutes after revelers called in 2024.
The footage showed three police officers pinning the reveler to the ground as they tried to subdue the man accused of behaving 'in a disorderly manner'.
But the 25-year-old man, whose first name is Matthew, said the incident was caused by a “simple misunderstanding” after he asked staff at Rapture Nightclub if anyone could pick up broken glass that a woman had injured herself on.
“I wasn't trying to disturb anyone, I was trying to help people,” the father of two said Western Australian.
The man (pictured on the ground) at the center of a shocking video of a police officer punching him repeatedly says it was caused by a misunderstanding
Matthew claimed that the club did not tell him to move on, and that he left the club before midnight to watch the fireworks from the street.
But he became involved in an incident with police when officers approached him and knocked him to the ground, he said.
The incident escalated when one of the officers started hitting him and another held him down by sitting on top of him.
“They asked if I was going and I asked if they could find someone to clear the glass…I thought I had complete confidence in them,” Matthew said.
“I have family in the police force, I respect them… so the fact that they took me down is disappointing. I wasn't rude…I was trying to be a nice citizen.”
A police spokesperson told Daly Mail Australia: 'Officers approached the man and asked him to move on, but he failed to comply and continued to shout and swear near other members of the public.
“Due to his persistent behavior, officers attempted to arrest the man, but it will be alleged he positioned his arms so he would not be handcuffed and resisted arrest.”
But Matthew said he only moved as officers restrained him to “prevent further injury” and that the brawl left him with scratches on his arms and face and a black eye.
His girlfriend Lauren said police “let stress get the better of them… they are underqualified to handle conflict resolution and overworked because they are unable to control their own emotions.”
A man was filmed being arrested by police officers in Perth (pictured) as a male officer punched the man repeatedly
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch supported his officers following the release of the footage.
“If someone does not comply during an arrest, officers are trained to use distraction techniques, such as body blows,” he said.
“Having personally viewed the footage of the arrest, I want to make it clear that I believe this officer acted within his training and has my support.
“We are transparent in our actions and will investigate any complaint of excessive force,” Comm Blanch said.
Matthew, from Kenwick in Perth's south-east, will appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on January 31.