Quaylin Jones: Grandson of JC’s foster mother allegedly pushed by police in Spalding melee granted bail

Police have charged the grandson of JC’s foster mother following a confrontation in which the Yamatji elder was allegedly pushed by a police officer, sparking an internal investigation. Quaylin Jones, 18, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday, six days after he was arrested on Friday, July 5. His arrest, and his 62-year-old grandmother Anne Jones’ interaction with police, coincided with the inquest into the police shooting death of 29-year-old JC sitting in Geraldton. The 18-year-old was released without charge but arrested again on Wednesday and charged with being armed, obstructing police, threats to do an act and breach of bail. Tensions bubbled after his grandmother received head injuries from a fall, which she claims was at the hands of a police officer. The court was told about 6.30am on July 5 police attended an address on Bogle Way, Spalding in response to a group armed with weapons fighting on the street. Police prosecutor Sgt Michael Semp said Mr Jones resisted arrest and threatened to spit on officers before he was secured. He told the court Mr Jones was in possession of a spear gun. Defence lawyer Lauren Roycroft said Mr Jones regularly spear fished and was in the process of collecting property from his sister’s house and relocating to his grandparents in Mullewa. She said he bumped into a group of people he did not agree with when a big melee broke out. Mr Jones pleaded not guilty to the charges relating to the Spalding incident, but did not enter pleas to breach of bail and an unrelated stealing charge. Magistrate Robert Young wanted to adjourn the matter overnight to view police body-worn camera footage, but Ms Roycroft argued it was not necessary in considering granting bail. She said he was young and denied the allegations. Mr Young noted the accused failed to comply with bail by leaving Carnarvon without advising the court, to which Ms Roycroft said he was here to support his family during the inquest into JC’s death. JC was fatally shot by a police officer in September 2019 after failing to respond to commands to drop a knife and a pair of scissors. Mr Jones was granted bail to appear in Mullewa Magistrates Court on Wednesday, August 7. He must reside at his grandparents’ house in Mullewa. Last week just hours after the incident, Ms Jones joined Mid West-Gascoyne Police Supt Steve Post to call for calm following the Spalding altercation. An internal investigation is under way, but it is unclear how long that process will take.