Former Police Officer Jonathan Beard Escapes Conviction for Assault
A former senior police officer has avoided conviction for assaulting two young men who played a game of 'knock and run' at his home, despite the court hearing the incident was 'not trivial'. Jonathan Beard, 57, has been handed a two-year good behaviour bond for the assault.
Former Police Superintendent Jonathan Beard has escaped conviction for assaulting two young men who played a game of 'knock and run' at his inner Sydney home.
Beard, 57, was handed a two-year good behaviour bond for two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after a court heard his judgement was "absolutely impaired" at the time of the incident.
Incident Details
The court heard that on September 21, 2024, Beard assaulted Charlie Mannus and Rory Fendell, who had drunkenly knocked at his home and then hid, as part of a group playing 'knock and run' after an 18th birthday celebration.
Beard pursued the men, who had fled the home, and assaulted them on a concrete laneway, leaving Mr Mannus with a dislocated shoulder.
The assault, which involved the men being hit, shoved and pulled to the ground, was captured on CCTV footage.
Judge's Comments
Judge Jacqueline Milledge told the Downing Centre Local Court that the incident was "not trivial" but did not record a conviction, citing Beard's "absolutely impaired" judgement and his reported symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder.
"It was hurtful, and it should never have happened," Judge Milledge said.
"Whatever senseless activity these young men engaged in, they certainly didn't deserve the consequences of what happened in that alcove."
Beard's Background
The court heard that Beard had been medically retired from the police force in November 2025, after being seen by a medical practitioner a day before the incident, who noted his "psychological" and "physical" injuries.
Beard's defence lawyer, Tom Edwards, said his client had suffered a neck injury "sustained in the incident" and had to undergo surgery as a result.
"This is how fragile Mr Beard was at the time, and that's what this court has got to take into consideration," Judge Milledge said.
"His judgement was so poor on the evening. I can see that his judgement was impaired, absolutely impaired."
Sentencing Criticism
Prosecution lawyer Patrick Mulvihill had argued for a conviction to be recorded, saying it would be "effectively saying, 'Well if you're a police officer and you've got a good history in the force… you can go out there and deploy excessive force.'"
A family member of Mr Fendall expressed disappointment outside the court, declining to comment further.