Ronald James Gregory Merry: Two police officers injured in FDV matter, Geraldton detectives charge 29yo man

A Mid West man accused of assaulting two police officers trying to arrest him — leaving one with serious facial injuries — allegedly threatened he would “put you to sleep” before attacking them. Ronald James Gregory Merry, 29, has been charged by Geraldton detectives over the incident in the Mid West town of Mullewa on Tuesday afternoon. Police say two officers arrived at a Mullewa residence about 4.25pm after a family violence incident was reported. It is alleged the accused man assaulted a woman known to him, and as he was being placed under arrest, allegedly threatened the police officers before he physically assaulted them. “The accused man alleged fled the scene. He was located and taken into custody several hours later,” police said. Mr Merry appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court from custody on Wednesday where police body worn camera footage and photographs of the officers’ injuries were shown to the court. The footage captures Mr Merry sitting at a dining room table where he can be heard saying “I’ll put you to sleep” and “knock you down”. When the officers attempted to place him in handcuffs, Mr Merry allegedly began throwing punches, knocking both the male and female officers to the floor and damaging property within the house. Blood could be seen next to the male officer. He was then pursued by the female officer who attempted to taser him before he fled out of a back door. The male officer was left with serious facial injuries, which included a bruised and closed-over left eye, and after receiving treatment at the Mullewa Nursing Post was taken to Geraldton Regional Hospital for further medical treatment. The female officer received medical treatment at the Mullewa Nursing Post. Mr Merry was charged with aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm, made a threat to unlawfully do an act, obstructing public officers, assault of a public officer, escaping from lawful custody and assault of a public officer in prescribed circumstances. Magistrate Matthew Walton denied Mr Merry bail and said the “significant” body worn camera footage indicated a “stark” and “relatively strong” prosecution case. “It strongly supports the alleged material facts,” he said. “In my view, based upon the alleged material facts, the support evidence found within the body worn camera footage and including the two injuries allegedly sustained from the actions of Mr Merry . . . the offences are too serious to warrant a grant of bail.” Mr Merry was remanded in custody and is due to appear in court on October 2. On Wednesday afternoon, a WA Police spokesperson said the injured male officer was being from Geraldton Regional Hospital to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth to receive further treatment for serious facial and soft tissue injuries. The female officer was also treated at Geraldton Regional Hospital and has since been released.