After a family gathering turned physical, a man who holds a high employment role in Security, was charged with Assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm and an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) against his brother in law.
The altercation involved Ms Regan’s client and his brother in law throwing punches towards each other, after a family disagreement.
Importantly, Ms Regan recognised immediately that the police investigation was less than satisfactory, and statements were not obtained from numerous witnesses that were present at the time.
During the defended hearing at the Mt Druitt Local Court, Ms Regan extensively cross examined witnesses and police officers, revealing that the brother in law was the initial aggressor who threw the first punch towards our client. In self-defence our client threw a single punch in response, which connected.
Our client was extremely stressed because if a finding of guilt were to be made against him, he would not be able to continue his work in security. The stress of a criminal charge would have had a huge impact on our client.
The Magistrate agreed with all submissions made by Ms Regan and determined Ms Regan’s client to be not guilty.
The charge and AVO was subsequently withdrawn.
