ID :
185631
Tue, 05/31/2011 - 15:05
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http://m.oananews.org//node/185631
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Officer's family to turn off life support
SYDNEY (AAP) - The policeman he allegedly shot in the face with a sawn-off shotgun at almost point blank range will be taken off life support this week - but Phillip Graeme Abell's lawyer says his client had no idea how badly the officer was injured.
Abell, 38, was one of three people remanded in custody on Tuesday charged with the attempted murder of Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding, who was shot on Sunday night while trying to stop an armed robbery at Pacific Pines Tavern.
Det Leeding is in a critical but stable condition in Gold Coast Hospital and police on Tuesday afternoon said his family would turn off his life support in the next 24 hours, based on medical advice.
His wife Sonya is also a Gold Coast police officer. They have two young children, baby Grace and two-year-old Hudson.
Det Leeding's father, who is flying in from England, is expected to join a family vigil at his son's bedside, possibly on Thursday.
Abell and Donna Lee McAvoy, 37, were both arrested by dog squad police in bush near the Pacific Pines Tavern, soon after the shooting on Sunday night.
Benjamin Ernest Power, 37, was arrested at a house the three were staying in at Nerang the following morning.
All were remanded in custody on Tuesday to reappear by video link from prison on July 14 for mention.
Each has been charged with attempted murder, armed robbery and deprivation of liberty over the botched tavern raid that saw staff and patrons held hostage.
Outside court, Abell's lawyer Neil Lawler said his client was the accused gunman but had no idea how serious Det Leeding's condition was after the policeman was hit in the face at close range by a blast from a sawn-off shotgun.
"He wasn't aware the police officer was as badly injured as he is, so he's in a world of shock," Mr Lawler said.
The lawyer, himself a former police officer, admitted acting for this particular client posed some personal challenges for him.
"I have many friends who are police officers, but I have an obligation as an officer of the court to defend people.
"It's not my job to judge him or others, and everyone deserves to be represented.
"Whilst it's difficult, I just do my best," he said.
Mr Lawler said his client has been looked after well and there would be no suggestion the dog bites and broken ribs he is suffering from were a result of mistreatment.
The shooting has intensified scrutiny of police on the Gold Coast.
Armed robberies have spiked this year, with more than 60 recorded so far; about 45 per cent of them having been solved.
Police had continually refused calls to set up an armed robbery squad for the region but Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson said it was now being considered.
The region has had 14 detectives recently appointed, 10 have gone to the Gold Coast criminal investigation branch and four to the Coomera district.
"In my almost four decades of policing, that is the largest increase of detective staff I've seen at once," Mr Wilson said.
Abell, 38, was one of three people remanded in custody on Tuesday charged with the attempted murder of Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding, who was shot on Sunday night while trying to stop an armed robbery at Pacific Pines Tavern.
Det Leeding is in a critical but stable condition in Gold Coast Hospital and police on Tuesday afternoon said his family would turn off his life support in the next 24 hours, based on medical advice.
His wife Sonya is also a Gold Coast police officer. They have two young children, baby Grace and two-year-old Hudson.
Det Leeding's father, who is flying in from England, is expected to join a family vigil at his son's bedside, possibly on Thursday.
Abell and Donna Lee McAvoy, 37, were both arrested by dog squad police in bush near the Pacific Pines Tavern, soon after the shooting on Sunday night.
Benjamin Ernest Power, 37, was arrested at a house the three were staying in at Nerang the following morning.
All were remanded in custody on Tuesday to reappear by video link from prison on July 14 for mention.
Each has been charged with attempted murder, armed robbery and deprivation of liberty over the botched tavern raid that saw staff and patrons held hostage.
Outside court, Abell's lawyer Neil Lawler said his client was the accused gunman but had no idea how serious Det Leeding's condition was after the policeman was hit in the face at close range by a blast from a sawn-off shotgun.
"He wasn't aware the police officer was as badly injured as he is, so he's in a world of shock," Mr Lawler said.
The lawyer, himself a former police officer, admitted acting for this particular client posed some personal challenges for him.
"I have many friends who are police officers, but I have an obligation as an officer of the court to defend people.
"It's not my job to judge him or others, and everyone deserves to be represented.
"Whilst it's difficult, I just do my best," he said.
Mr Lawler said his client has been looked after well and there would be no suggestion the dog bites and broken ribs he is suffering from were a result of mistreatment.
The shooting has intensified scrutiny of police on the Gold Coast.
Armed robberies have spiked this year, with more than 60 recorded so far; about 45 per cent of them having been solved.
Police had continually refused calls to set up an armed robbery squad for the region but Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson said it was now being considered.
The region has had 14 detectives recently appointed, 10 have gone to the Gold Coast criminal investigation branch and four to the Coomera district.
"In my almost four decades of policing, that is the largest increase of detective staff I've seen at once," Mr Wilson said.
