WA: Pomersbach escapes jail term over police assault charges

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2009
WA: Pomersbach escapes jail term over police assault charges

PERTH, Aug 14 AAP - West Australia cricketer Luke Pomersbach has been fined a total
of $3,500 after admitting to multiple charges including assaulting a police officer and
attempting to escape from custody.

Pomersbach, 24, has already been suspended indefinitely by the West Australian Cricket
Association after he was involved in a car accident in the Perth beachside suburb of Scarborough
on Sunday night.

He assaulted one of the officers who tried to arrest him after the accident, leading
to him being taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Pomersbach pleaded guilty to six charges in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday including
driving with a blood alcohol level in excess of .08 and obstructing police.

Pomersbach's lawyer told the court he had already been punished through the suspension
of his contract with the WACA, with the likely loss of his private sponsorship and with
the publicity surrounding his case.

Numerous character references were handed up to Magistrate Libby Woods including from
Test opening batsman Justin Langer, Test wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, former Test all-rounder
Tom Moody and Test opener Geoff Marsh.

Miss Woods said she took into account evidence from the police officer who was attacked
that he had received only minor injuries after being pushed by Pomersbach.

These included a bump to his head, scratches to his elbows and damage to his thumb.

She said while any assault on a police officer was a serious matter it was at the lower
end of the scale.

She fined Pomersbach a total of $2,000 on the assault and escape lawful custody charges,
and $1,500 on the traffic offences.

AAP ws/bd

KEYWORD: POMERSBACH

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.