Matthew Butcher

Matthew Butcher (born 1975/1976) is a Western Australia Police (WAPOL) constable, who received significant media attention following an assault which left him brain damaged, partially paralysed and visually impaired. In 2009, Constable Butcher was awarded the Emergency Services "Pride of Australia" medal.[1] He has also been awarded the Western Australia Police Star, Commissioner's Medal for Excellence and Western Australia Police Medal.[2]

Not to be confused with Matt Butcher.
Matthew Butcher
Born1975/1976 (aged 44–45)
NationalityAustralian
OccupationPolice constable
EmployerWestern Australia Police
Spouse(s)Katrina Butcher
AwardsPride of Australia
Western Australia Police Star
Commissioner's Medal for Excellence
Western Australia Police Medal

Old Bailey incident

On the evening of February 4, 2008, Matthew Butcher and several other police officers intervened in a fight at the Old Bailey tavern in Joondalup, Perth, opposite the Joondalup police station. One of the men involved, Robert McLeod (55) was shot by Constable Butcher with a Taser stun gun. Robert McLeod's son Barry (28), launched a flying headbutt at Constable Butcher as soon as his weapon was deployed resulting in Constable Butcher being knocked unconscious and falling to the ground, resulting in a broken cheekbone, broken jaw, and bleeding on the brain.[3] The entire incident was captured on a mobile phone video camera from an onlooker.

Constable Butcher was taken to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for his injuries, where he was placed into an induced coma. Surgery was performed to remove swelling on his brain, however he sustained permanent brain injuries causing impaired motor control and vision. Constable Butcher was discharged from Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital in September 2008, however, he remains paralysed from the left side and has not been able to use his left arm since the incident.[4]

Court case

Shortly after the incident, Robert McLeod and his two sons Barry and Scott were charged with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assaulting a public officer, obstructing an officer and making threats to kill.[5] In March 2009, a District Court jury found the accused not guilty of all charges relating to the assault on Constable Butcher. McLeod's lawyers argued the accused acted in self defence when confronted by police, who they said acted with excessive force as they attempted to arrest them.[6]

Aftermath

The verdict resulted in an outcry from the WAPOL as well as the public.[7] Several days after the verdict was handed down, 2000 people took part in a public rally on the steps of Parliament House in Perth, calling for tougher penalties for anyone who assaults a police officer. At this rally, Butcher's wife Katrina gave an address thanking the public for their support.[8] In September 2009, the Upper House of the West Australian parliament passed new mandatory sentencing laws, which will result in a jail sentence for anyone found guilty of assaulting a public officer, including police.[9]

Compensation

In January 2011, Matthew Butcher was compensated A$3.3 million from the West Australia government for continuing medical treatment, loss of earnings and trauma sustained by the incident.[10] Robert Macleod filed a lawsuit against Butcher, claiming damages for "wrongful battery" relating to the police use of a Taser on him during his arrest.[11] This action was withdrawn in 2015.

References
  1. "2009 winners, Western Australia". Pride of Australia Awards. Archived from the original on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  2. Cox, Nicole (2009-12-05). "Injured officer Matt Butcher awarded top bravery honour". PerthNow. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  3. "Police officer in coma after pub brawl". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2008-02-05. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  4. Cardy, Todd (February 18, 2009). "Constable Matthew Butcher: 'I don't remember tavern attack'". PerthNow. Archived from the original on 2009-11-16.
  5. Sapienza, Joseph (2009-03-12). "McLeods not guilty of assault". WAtoday. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  6. Cardy, Todd (March 13, 2009). "McLeods not guilty of assaulting Matthew Butcher". PerthNow. Archived from the original on 2009-03-16.
  7. Stanley, Warwick (March 15, 2009). "Four WA police attacked following Matt Butcher verdict". PerthNow. The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 2009-03-19.
  8. Sapienza, Joseph (2009-03-17). "Police rally outside Parliament House". WAtoday. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  9. Sapienza, Joseph (2009-06-22). "Mandatory sentencing law concerns to Upper House". WAtoday. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  10. Styles, Aja; Sonti, Chalpat (2011-01-24). "Bashed cop Butcher awarded record compensation payout". WAtoday. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  11. Cox, Nicole (2011-02-04). "McLeod to sue bashed cop". PerthNow. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
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