Jack Seelander, Justin Little: Trial for pair who allegedly assaulted a former police officer adjourned

Two men accused of a violent attack on a former Geraldton police officer were set to stand trial on Thursday, but the matter has been delayed due to limited time and further evidence disclosure. Jack Seelander, 19, and Justin Troy Ernest Little, 22, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 15, for a one-day joint-trial, both charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm. The court was previously told that four people approached the home of former police officer Adrian Barker, 54, who was awake at the time and followed the accused group on to the street, where he was allegedly attacked with a hatchet. Mr Barker suffered a broken hand, internal bleeding, bruising and lacerations as a result of the attack. In Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday, defence lawyer Lauren Roycroft asked for a further adjournment after she was made aware of a “significant amount of disclosure” that had not been presented to her, which would limit the defence when “exploring narratives”. Police prosecutor Sgt Thomas Potts opposed the application, saying “some of the disclosure that is sought, the case investigating officer does not have the capacity to supply”. The court was told that Ms Roycroft had sought the complainant’s history of complaints and misconduct while in the police force. Sgt Potts argued for an immediate start, saying it was a “serious and well-publicised” matter, the complainant wishes to put the matter behind him for his mental health, and witnesses were ready to proceed.” Magistrate Matthew Walton granted Ms Roycroft’s adjournment request after factoring in poor case management, “significant resourcing issues” in Geraldton and the “erosion of time”. “I feel I’m in a position where I must grant the adjournment application, I do so extremely reluctantly and the complainant is owed an apology,” he said. “This matter clearly requires more than one day. There is no such thing as a one-day trial in a regional court, especially in Geraldton. “This trial should have been case-managed properly and the court may have had a role in that.” The matter was listed as a priority one and both Mr Little and Mr Seelander will appear in court for a three-day trial starting on July 21.