SocietyCourt permanently stays case against police charged over tasering and pepper-spraying First Nations man

A court has permanently stayed the case against senior constables Andrew David Couchman and Ulrich Weiss over their alleged use of capsicum spray, Tasers and restraints on a cognitively and emotionally vulnerable First Nations man at the Mareeba watch house in January 2024. The judge found that a detective had inserted a “false” account into the man’s statement, creating a fundamental defect that meant a fair trial could not proceed.

Queenslandpolice conductFirst Nations rightscourt ruling

TThe Guardian★★★☆☆2026-08-21 01:16Original