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ABC News
ABC News
National
By Zalika Rizmal

Sixth person charged over 'extremely violent' attack on police in St Kilda

Trent Potts leaves court after getting bail.

Detectives have charged a sixth person over a violent brawl in St Kilda that left two police officers in hospital.

A 26-year-old Frankston man was arrested and released on bail last night, charged with offences including assaulting a police officer and affray.

His arrest followed the court appearance of three men yesterday — Trent Potts, 26, Phillip O'Donnell, 38, and Jules Tobin, 26 — who were charged with offences including two counts of assaulting police, affray, violent disorder, intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offences.

During yesterday's hearing, Magistrate Andrew McKenna said the incident was "appalling" and "extremely violent".

But he agreed to release the trio on bail with strict conditions, including weekly reporting to police.

Mr Potts and Mr O'Donnell were banned from leaving the state.

Two co-accused appeared in court over the same incident on Monday.

Trent Potts's sister, Kayla Potts, 25, was released on bail and her fiance Jack Houldcroft was remanded in custody.

The group had been at a 30th birthday party on Fitzroy Street around 3:00am on Sunday, when they became involved in a verbal altercation with two unknown men near a taxi stand.

The court heard a woman attempted to defuse the argument when Mr Potts allegedly began "hurling abuse" at her before allegedly "kicking her in the genitals".

Two police officers at the scene were attempting to arrest Mr Potts when they were allegedly attacked by the other four, including Mr Tobin, who was a member of the band hired to play at the birthday party.

It was alleged Ms Potts punched one of the officers before getting hit by a policeman's flashlight, requiring hospital treatment.

Police alleged Mr O'Donnell attacked a police officer from behind before smashing his head into the ground six times.

They also alleged Mr Tobin kicked and spat on officers, while Mr Potts allegedly punched the officers while repeatedly attempting to run away from them while they tried to restrain him.

Both police officers were taken to hospital as a result of their injuries.

One police officer suffered a torn bicep muscle, which required surgery, while the other suffered extensive bruising and swelling around the eye and possible facial fractures.

The six accused will return to court in June.

The group will face the prospect of a mandatory jail term, since the Victorian Government changed sentencing laws to make assaulting an emergency worker — including police — a category 1 offence under the Sentencing Act, meaning courts have to impose a minimum six-month jail sentence.

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