Two charged after birthday party turns violent as fights spill onto Spalding streets

Police have charged two people with disorderly behaviour and fighting — with more possibly to follow — after an 18th birthday party in Spalding erupted into violence on Sunday morning. A police officer was struck in the leg with a bottle during the fracas, which is believed to have escalated after a football game on Saturday. A WA Police spokesperson said police were advised about 2.30am on Sunday a group of 50-60 people who had attended the party on Mitchell Street, Spalding had left the street, broken into smaller groups, and were fighting. Police responded and started breaking up the groups. One person was tasered and OC spray was used on one occasion. Additional officers were called in to assist, and over the next few hours police continued to monitor the groups as they moved around the area and responded to flare-ups of violence. A 50-year-old man from Spalding was arrested and advised he would be charged by summons for disorderly by fighting and unlawful possession, and a 21-year-old man from Tardun was arrested and advised he would be charged by summons for disorderly by fighting. A 19-year-old woman was also issued a move-on order. Geraldton police said: “The disturbance is believed to be from an escalation from a football match. It is disappointing to see that members from the Geraldton community have engaged in a social sports match in good spirits, to which an incident on the field has escalated into members fighting causing antisocial behaviour later that evening.” Police are currently reviewing body worn camera footage and expect further charges will be laid once inquiries are completed. Geraldton Police officer in charge Sen. Sgt Jason Scragg said parties should be a time to have fun, but members of the community need to remember to drink responsibly. “Police shouldn’t have to attend and close down parties that are getting out of hand,” he said. “But if we do need to attend, we will do so taking a no tolerance approach and arrest offenders that are fighting and causing anti-social behaviour issues.”