The legal representative for two men accused of attacking a retired police sergeant with an axe in Geraldton, Western Australia, has cast doubt on the officer’s credibility and accused him of “playing cop.”
Jack Seelander and Justin Troy Ernest Little are charged with assaulting former WA police sergeant Adrian Barker during an incident in March 2024. The trial took place over three days at the Geraldton Magistrates Court this week.
During the proceedings, the court heard that Mr Barker was returning to his home in Wandina around 3 a.m. on March 17, 2024, when he encountered a group of eight Aboriginal boys and men. Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Lauren Roycroft, Mr Barker admitted he believed the group might cause trouble.
Mr Barker explained that once inside his home, he sat near his front door, which was slightly open behind a locked flyscreen. He initially claimed he left the door open for the breeze but later conceded he did so because he suspected the group might try to break into nearby houses.
Ms Roycroft questioned Mr Barker about hearing “a barely audible click” and seeing figures running away, suggesting he followed them and confronted the group. Mr Barker maintained that he confronted the group including Seelander and Little after they allegedly attempted to break into his house.
The confrontation resulted in Mr Barker allegedly striking Mr Little in the back of the head, knocking him to the ground. The case continues to unfold as the court examines the credibility of the witnesses involved.
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