Homeless man bit police during arrest

By Alana Mitchelson

A homeless man allegedly left bite marks on police officers’ legs while “violently” resisting arrest after being found asleep in the garage of a Pakenham home.
After a scary night and being unable to sleep due to ongoing noises coming from her garage, a woman called police to her Park Boulevard property on Thursday 19 January.
Police arrived about 8am to find that the woman’s garage had been locked from the inside and when they managed to open the roller door a man and a woman were found fast asleep inside.
It is alleged that the accused – 23-year-old Joseph Johnson – became immediately abusive towards the police upon waking up.
The situation soon escalated as he began “picking up nearby tables and throwing them”.
Police officers responded to his aggression by deploying pepper spray but the accused continued his aggression, threatening police and resisting arrest while striking officers with his hands and arms.
Johnson allegedly spat at the police officers and threatened to “bash and kill” them if he was to come across them on the street.
Police called for backup after a violent scuffle where the accused left “bite marks on the inner thighs” of a male and a female police officer.
The accused was tackled to the ground before being taken to the Narre Warren Police Station where he was later interviewed.
During the journey, Johnson allegedly threatened to “kick out” the police officers from the moving vehicle.
The accused was charged with criminal trespass, assaulting police, intentionally causing injury and resisting arrest.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen refused his bail later that day at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on the grounds that “the risk (was) far too high”.
The court heard that Johnson had been involved in an “aggressive” brawl between six men armed with baseball bats and machetes last January.
He was also found to have two outstanding warrants due to his failure to comply with existing community corrections orders.
“I lost my job and recently separated with my partner. I’m having difficulty with housing and am going through a lot of stress,” Johnson told the court.
“I haven’t seen my two boys since last year.”
Johnson claimed he had been invited in to the house, that he had been drunk and had no recollection of being violent.
Mr Vandersteen maintained there was an “unacceptable risk” of the accused endangering the public and interfering with witnesses if he was to be granted bail.
“Your criminal history shows a propensity for violence, you have no regard for orders and would be at risk of committing offences while on bail,” Mr Vandersteen said.
“You caused a woman extreme fright and a stressful night. Your behaviour was appalling and your violence towards police is very concerning.”
Johnson was remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 14 February.
Police urged anyone with information to contact the Pakenham Criminal Investigation Unit on 5945 2500.