Officer injured during arrest; man charged – East Maitland

A man faces numerous charges after a police officer was injured during an arrest in the Hunter region yesterday.
About 5pm (Thursday 18 February 2021), an officer attached to Port Stephens Traffic and Highway Patrol saw an unregistered road bike being ridden on the New England Highway, East Maitland, allegedly at excessive speed.
The motorcycle stopped in traffic and the officer approached the rider, who immediately lashed out, falling to the ground. As the officer attempted to assist remove the bike, he was allegedly punched in the face and chest.
During a struggle, the rider, a 39-year-old man, has continued to kick and punch the senior constable before he was arrested with the assistance of members of the public.
Further police attended to assist, and the rider continued to struggle with officers. In trying to restrain the man, an acting sergeant has suffered a dislocated shoulder. He was taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment.
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, motor vehicle exceed speed more than 20 km/h, licence expired 2 years or more, assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty, two counts of resist officer in execution of duty, use unregistered motor vehicle on road, other traffic offences and breach of bail.
The Maitland man was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Friday 19 February 2021).