News Digest

'Drunk' model insists video proves brutality of Sydney police

Sydney Police have defended their officers against accusations of brutality after a video went viral showing a woman being held down and struck with batons as she was arrested. The woman was one of four people held for the alleged assault of a taxi driver and female police officer at 1.45am on Wednesday morning. A bystander recorded the video on a mobile phone. In it, voices can be heard shouting: “She’s not resisting arrest.” The woman being arrested is model Claire Helen who encouraged people to share the video on social media. Police say one member of her group had punched the taxi driver over an argument about the fare. The taxi driver then flagged down a passing police car and an altercation with the officer began.

It clearly shows the female offender punch the female police officer in an unprovoked assault which caused the wrestle that you see on YouTube.

Superintendent Michael Fitzgerald on seeing the entire video

Police say one member of her group had punched the taxi driver over an argument about the fare. The taxi driver then flagged down a passing police car and an altercation with the officer began. Superintendent Michael Fitzgerald says the video only tells part the story and CCTV shows Ms Helen punching a female officer in the mouth before the arrest. He added: “Police are not punching bags. Neither are taxi drivers.” Ms Helen and the three men who were also arrested have been granted bail and will appear in court on 6 January.