A Warrnambool man has admitted to a vicious attack on two police officers, which was sparked by their request for a teenager to put on a mask during one of Victoria's COVID-19 lockdowns.
Steven John Cleary pleaded guilty to several charges in the County Court in Warrnambool on Wednesday, including assaulting an emergency worker on duty and intentionally causing injury.
In police body-camera footage shown to the court, Senior Constable Rowan Baldam and Constable William Ringin could be seen attempting to stop a 15-year-old who was not wearing a mask, which at the time was mandated by the state government.
Despite repeated requests from police to explain why he was not wearing a mask, the boy refused to share his personal details.
The boy then contacted Cleary via walkie-talkie, claiming he was being intimidated by police.
Moments later, Cleary arrived at McGennan Street in a white car.
Armed with a metal baseball bat, the 50-year-old exited his vehicle and approached the two officers.
Senior Constable Baldam repeatedly told Cleary he would be tasered if he did not back off, but the 50-year-old refused to stop and rushed forward.
Judge Anne Hassan described what ensued as an "eruption of violence".
'You are a Roman dog'
The footage showed Cleary repeatedly striking Senior Constable Baldam in the head, causing him to fall to the ground.
Despite Senior Constable Baldam screaming and groaning in pain in the fetal position, with blood pouring out of his head, Cleary continued to hit the officer on the ground with the bat.
Constable Ringin managed to grab the bat from the attackers hands, despite being repeatedly punched by the boy.
The accused picked up one of the officers' tasers, which had been dropped on the ground during the fracas, and shot it at Constable Ringin, who managed to strike Cleary at the same time, causing him to fall to the ground.
Senior Constable Baldam managed to get back up on his feet and assist his partner with restraining Cleary.
The 50-year-old repeatedly refused orders from the officers, telling them several times, "I am king."
"You are a Roman dog, this is an act of war," Cleary told the officers.
'Unprovoked, absurd attack'
Both victims repeatedly broke down while reading their victim impact statements to the court.
Senior Constable Baldam said he thought he was going to die during the incident.
"I wondered if this injury would be survivable," he said.
The officer said doctors told him he was "lucky" to not have a brain injury.
Senior Constable Baldam said he continued to suffer recurring pain from his fractured left thumb and had a permanent scar on his head as a result of the "unprovoked, absurd attack".
"Being assaulted has stunted my careers and earnings," he said.
"Steven clearly is responsible for my physical injuries … but far more significantly, he has altered the trajectory of my life forever."
Constable Ringin also detailed the dramatic, negative impacts Cleary's actions have had on many aspects of his life.
"My family has pleaded for me to consider a career change," Constable Ringin said.
"This breaks my heart … it's been my dream since childhood.
"Becoming a member of Victoria Police was the proudest moment of my life.
'He believes he is a king'
During submissions from defence lawyer Jonathan Barrera, the court heard Cleary has "severe impaired mental functioning" and continued to experience delusions that were "active at the time of offending".
"He strongly believes COVID is a conspiracy, is not an illness," Mr Barrera said.
"He believes he is a king, can issue royal commands and police are required to leave him alone."
Mr Barrera said Cleary had anxiety that restricted him to his home.
Judge Hassan ordered Cleary to undergo an assessment for a community corrections order ahead of sentencing on Friday.
Cleary has spent 285 days in pre-sentence detention since his arrest and faces up to 20 years' jail.
