An army veteran rider who claims he was assaulted by police at a March 2018 charity ride now faces a charge of not obeying the direction of police.
The incident was caught on this video which shows Michael “Magic” Parr being confronted by Senior Constable Murphy of the NSW Police Strike Force Raptor.
It occurred at Woodenbong on March 3 on the 26th annual Good as Gold ride.
More than eight months later, Murphy has issued a Court Attendance Notice to Magic for not obeying a police direction.
The hearing is scheduled for April 2019 in Kyogle Local Court where Magic this week successfully fought a handlebar defect notice issued at the charity ride.
Handlebar defect
“The judge found in my favour and was critical of police methods for measuring handlebar heights,” Magic says.
“The judge said their methods were inherently inaccurate as it needs to be done under strict guidelines to ensure the measurements are accurate.”
When Magic arrived at Kyogle Court, he was immediately approached by Murphy who asked to see his licence.
“He also checked my bike again,” Magic says.
Magic on his HarleyMurphy appeared in court as a support witness to the officer who issued all the defect notices on the day.
“So anyone who had bar height infringements, especially if close to the allowed range, are probably inaccurate and wrong and they should fight them.
“However, most people can’t afford the time off work to go to court and just pay the fine and move on.
“The whole purpose of Strikeforce Chapel on the day was to stop the ride by whatever means.
The ride was roadblockedI believe the (measurement) error was deliberate.”
Fail to obey charge
Magic can’t comment on the new charge for reasons of sub judice (under judicial consideration and therefore prohibited from public discussion).
At the time, Magic made a formal complaint to police about the alleged unlawful assault when the officer shoved him.
However, NSW Police Force Professional Standards Unit rejected the complaint, saying the officer’s shove was a “single approved check drill in accordance with his training”.
Click here to read the full reply.
“Police policing their own is an endemic problem,” Magic says.
There needs to be an external body to handle complaints about police.
“People are being abused and give up making complaints because they know it will not go anywhere.
“Now police feel they can do anything they like.
“I’m looking forward to getting Murphy on the stand as I will be vigorously defending the charges.”