The defence lawyer representing two men accused of assaulting a retired police officer with an axe in regional Western Australia has challenged the former officer’s credibility, accusing him of “pretending to be a cop.”
Jack Seelander and Justin Troy Ernest Little allegedly attacked former WA Police Sergeant Adrian Barker during an incident in Geraldton in March 2024.
Their three-day trial was held this week at Geraldton Magistrates Court.
The court heard that around 3am on March 17, 2024, Mr Barker was returning to his Wandina home when he passed a group of eight Aboriginal males. Under questioning by defence lawyer Lauren Roycroft, Mr Barker acknowledged that he thought the group “might cause trouble.”
Once home, Mr Barker said he sat near his front door, which was left slightly ajar behind a locked flyscreen. He initially claimed the door was open for ventilation but later admitted it was because he suspected the group might try to break into nearby homes.
Ms Roycroft suggested that Mr Barker heard “a faint click,” noticed figures fleeing, and decided to pursue and confront them. Mr Barker, however, testified that he confronted the group, including Seelander and Little, after they allegedly tried to break into his home.
During the encounter, Mr Barker allegedly struck Mr Little on the back of the head, causing him to fall. The court heard that after initially fleeing, members of the group returned and attacked Mr Barker, with Mr Little allegedly striking him in the face with an axe before fleeing again.
Defence Criticism of Barker’s Actions
In his closing arguments, police prosecutor Sergeant Thomas Potts said the group launched an unprovoked attack on Mr Barker, hitting him with a pick to the back. He argued Mr Barker had only struck Mr Little because his escape route was blocked and that his 15 years of police experience influenced his decision to intervene.
However, the defence challenged Mr Barker’s judgment, claiming he unfairly assumed the group was suspicious without any real cause. Ms Roycroft stated, “There is substantial evidence to suggest Mr Barker was the aggressor,” pointing to inconsistencies in his testimony and his actions immediately following the incident.
The court also heard that after the attack, Mr Barker pursued a vehicle carrying unrelated Aboriginal individuals at high speed, used his headlights to force them to stop, and questioned them roadside. When asked if he was a police officer, Mr Barker reportedly replied, “yep.”
“He was pretending to be a cop,” Ms Roycroft said.
Magistrate Matthew Walton has reserved his judgment, noting the case involves “overlooked complexities” and acknowledging Mr Barker was “brutalised” during the incident. A verdict is expected next month.
