UPDATE: Man charged with attempted murder after Port Augusta incident

It will be alleged that about 10.40am on Saturday 21 December, police were called to a house in High Street after reports of a domestic disturbance.

When two officers arrived, a man confronted the patrol and struck a female officer in the left arm with a sword.

Capsicum spray was deployed to subdue the man while other patrols were called to the scene.

The officer was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment. She was later airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital because of the nature of her injuries.

The officer underwent surgery and is recovering in hospital.

A 30-year-old Port Augusta man was last night charged with two counts of attempted murder and hinder police.

He was also charged with assault and breach of intervention order relating to the initial domestic disturbance where he assaulted a woman known to him.

The woman suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The suspect did not apply for bail and will appear in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court on Monday.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said while any attack on a police officer was abhorrent, the violent nature of this incident had shocked police.

“Policing is an inherently dangerous occupation because of the nature of some incidents officers are called to, but an incident of this nature highlights the risk police face on a daily basis serving the community,’’ he said.

“Thankfully the officer’s injuries are not life-threatening and measures are being taken to fully support her and her family.

“All police officers and the community will be paying particular interest as this matter progresses through the court system.

“Under the Criminal Law Consolidation Act the penalty for assaulting a prescribed emergency services worker is a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. Every police officer will be watching to see what penalty is applied if there is a finding of guilt.’’

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