Ahmed Kulbegovic facing grievous bodily harm charges for allegedly assaulting off duty police officer Chris Turner in Alfred Cove

The man who allegedly attacked a decorated senior police officer, leaving him with a fractured left eye socket and suspected nerve damage, is now facing a charge of grievous bodily harm. Ahmed Kulbegovic, 36, was initially charged with assaulting a public officer after the incident outside KFC in Alfred Cove on November 24 but it was upgraded in Fremantle Magistrate’s Court. Det-Sgt Chris Turner was allegedly punched and kicked without warning by Mr Kulbegovic, who was urinating in public, while off duty after identifying himself as a police officer. Mr Kulbegovic’s lawyer Natalia Tasic expressed some concern that there had been two court appearances before the grievous bodily harm charge. The matter was adjourned until March 27. Upgraded charges were initially floated during Mr Kulbegovic’s first court appearance on January 17 when police prosecutor Mark Henry asked for a four-week adjournment. The WA Police Union had previously called for a more serious charge. Union boss Harry Arnott said at the time what had happened to Det-Sgt Turner was “nothing short of disgusting” while Police Minister Michelle Roberts said she was “sickened” by the incident. Det-Sgt Turner has been recognised with multiple commendations. He was shot at during a bank robbery in 1995 and subjected to several previous assaults on the job.