Two bystanders suing police over ‘excessive force’ outside watch-house the night of Broadbeach brawl

Rachelle Boyd, 25, and Neville Thomas Turner, 23, say they were thrown to the ground face first and assaulted during the chaos outside the Southport Watchhouse on the night of the melee in September, 2013.

The same night, more than 50 Bandidos were involved in a brawl outside Aura restaurant in Broadbeach — an incident which sparked Queensland’s tough bikie laws.

Ms Boyd has now lodged a damages claim in the Southport District Court suing the State of Queensland for $335,000 over personal injuries and loss she says she suffered as a result of alleged assaults.

In a similar claim, Mr Turner is suing for about $161,000.

The lawsuits could see taxpayers fork out more over the Broadbeach brawl following the failed prosecution of Bandido Peter Mauric and subsequent dismissal of a number of riot charges.

The claims also come at a time when solicitors across the Coast have been inundated with inquiries from people who say they have suffered serious injuries at the hands of police.

One law firm is handling more than 50 excessive force claims.

In court documents prepared by Shine Lawyers the pair claim they were in Southport when they saw several men in Bandidos insignia arrive, closely followed by about 50 police who “herded” them down the street.

Ms Boyd and Mr Turner allege that a one officer punched a Bandidos member several times before a fight broke out between police and the bikies.

Police allegedly threw one Bandido up against a fence and while he was restrained, other officers allegedly stood on him, kneed him and “rubbed his head onto the concrete footpath”.

When Ms Boyd and Mr Turner told police they had nothing to do with the Bandidos, a police officer allegedly threw Ms Boyd to the ground face first, and handcuffed her.

She says she was forced to remain with her head pushed into the ground for about five minutes.

Police officers also allegedly threw Mr Turner to the ground face first, kicked him in the knees and repeatedly punched and kicked him.

He claims he was then dragged face down through the door of the watch-house then placed in a cell.

Ms Boyd was charged with obstructing police. The matter was later dropped.

The former administration assistant claims she suffered post-traumatic stress and adjustment disorder after the incident and was dismissed from two different jobs.

She’s been unemployed since December last year.

Mr Turner says he suffered from a major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress, facial scarring and a lower back injury.

The labourer said he experienced difficulties at work and took a voluntary redundancy before spending five months unemployed.

Shine Lawyers Gold Coast branch manager Peter Matus said by examining the behaviour in the courts the community could uphold the high ethical standards expected from police.

“Actions like these are crucial in shining a light on rogue behaviour and holding to account individuals who truly fail to serve and protect,” he said.

Potts Lawyers director Bill Potts said his firm received inquiries on a weekly basis from people who have been “touched up” by the police.

“All too often we are seeing young, often poorly supervised police officers who are entirely ignorant of the law using excessive force which can’t be justified under any circumstances,” Mr Potts said.

Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller said the QPS had a rigorous process in place to investigate complaints of excessive force through the Ethical Standards Command.

“It’s important to remember that these instances are very rare and that by and large our police service is made up of extremely professional and hardworking women and men.

“As this matter is before the court it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.”