ON THE BEAT Police Report

FROM WHERE I SIT
At 12.05am on Saturday 15 February, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Bruce Highway, McDesme. The driver, a 36yr old Sunshine Coast man was issued a NTA for driving with a relevant drug in his saliva, possessing a dangerous drug and possessing a drug utensil. He is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 7 April.

At 1.40am on Saturday 15 February, Ayr Police were called to a disturbance in Edwards Street, Ayr. It was established a person had been punched and knocked unconscious. As a result of investigations, Police located a male who was arrested with regards to this incident.  Upon returning to the Police watchhouse, he threw a shoe at a Police Officer, striking him.  As a result, a 28yr old Burdekin man was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, assaulting a Police officer and committing a public nuisance in the vicinity of a licenced premises. He was released on bail to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 22 April. He was also issued a Police banning notice prohibiting him from attending licenced premises in Ayr for 28 days.

On Wednesday 19 February a shop stealing was reported by a local sports shop in the Ayr CBD. As a result of investigations, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Brandon on Thursday 20 February. The property said to have been stolen from that shop was recovered and a 28yr old Burdekin woman was charged with one count each of stealing and commit public nuisance and is due to appear in the Ayr Magistrates Court on 10 March. A 17yr old juvenile female was charged with one count of stealing and due to appear in Ayr Children’s Court on 25 February.

At 3.25pm on Thursday 20 February, Ayr Police went to intercept a vehicle on Norham Road, Ayr when it drove away at speed and pulled into an address in Parkside. Police subsequently located the driver, a 25yr old Townsville woman, who was transported to Ayr Police Station for a further drug test. She was subsequently issued a NTA for failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis, disqualified driving and obstruct Police. She is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 10 March.
At 11.30pm on Friday 21 February, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Chippendale Street, Ayr. The driver, a 34yr old Burdekin woman was issued a NTA for drink driving, driving .072 and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 10 March.

ASSAULTS – It’s Okay To Walk Away

The vast majority of assaults reported to Ayr Police are between parties known to each other. Many occur in private residences between family members, which may constitute domestic violence or friends and acquaintances.

Other assaults occur in the street or licenced premises, where, once again, the involved parties are usually known to each other.

It is a not uncommon occurrence to see news reports where people are assaulted, fall back, hit their head and die. One punch can kill.

“It’s Okay to Walk Away” – that’s the message Ayr police want to send to reduce the number of assaults both when people go out but also in the home.

A split second decision could change your life forever and have an impact on many people, including your family and friends.

Remember - One punch can kill is a shocking reality that simple acts of violence can have tragic consequences. The consequences of assault don’t stop at injury or death.

A single punch is all it takes to seriously assault someone and in some circumstances may cause death. The consequences of such acts devastate the lives of so many people and leads to a lifetime of regret and unfulfilled dreams.

Assaults can steal your future, and your actions could result in negative impacts on your family; your employment; overseas travel, the guilt of taking another person’s life and could possibly result in a criminal record.

Victims of assault don’t always walk away with just a bruise. Permanent disability, ongoing care by family and friends, employment and future prospects can be jeopardised from one senseless act.

From a perspective of personal safety, be aware of your surroundings and alert to what is going on around you. Go out with friends and stay with your group. If you are going to be drinking, just make sure someone in the group is not going to drink and can look after his or her mates and steer them clear of trouble and walk away from violence. Unfortunately too many “good nights out” end poorly due to being assaulted, losing belongings, etc.

Police would like to remind people that “It’s okay to walk away” while “One punch can kill”.

‍