Kings Cross Commander Pleads Not Guilty to Assault Charges in "Knock and Run" Incident

Kings Cross Commander Jonathan Andrew Beard has pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence. The charges stem from an incident in September 2024 involving young men playing "knock and run" at his inner Sydney home.

Allegations from the Prosecution

The Crown outlined its case, describing the actions of the young men as "puerile and somewhat foolish."

The Crown described the young men's game as "puerile and somewhat foolish."

According to the prosecution:

• Commander Beard allegedly emerged from his residence with a wooden bat after a knock on the door, causing the young men to flee.
• One man, Rory Fendall, was allegedly struck on the upper right thigh with the bat by Commander Beard.
• The officer and his son, Oscar Beard, reportedly pursued Mr. Fendall and his friend Charlie Mannes.
• Commander Beard, without the bat at this point, allegedly assaulted both men by shoving them, pulling Mr. Fendall to the ground, grabbing Mr. Mannes by the throat, striking him, and kneeing him.
• CCTV footage showed Mr. Mannes punching Commander Beard; the Crown asserts this was self-defence after the alleged assault began.
• The prosecution argues Commander Beard was the aggressor from the outset, acting out of frustration and anger rather than fear, and that his actions were disproportionate.

Defense Arguments

Defence barrister Troy Edwards presented the counter-arguments:

• The defense stated Commander Beard had reasonable grounds to believe Mr. Mannes had committed an offence and suspected the men were intending to participate in a home invasion.
• The defense maintains the use of force was "reasonably necessary to prevent the assaults that were being inflicted on him … and his son" and to effect an arrest.
• The "loitering around" the property, hiding, and door-banging was not perceived as an innocent game by Commander Beard or his son, according to the defense.

Evidence Presented

The court was presented with various pieces of evidence:

• CCTV footage showed Commander Beard running down the street with a bat and later confronting the two men without it.
• The court heard Mr. Mannes' right shoulder was dislocated after being held down during the incident.
• Body-worn camera video showed Mr. Fendall alleging he was hit four or five times.
• Another body-worn video showed Mr. Mannes with a limp right arm, stating he and his friends were "goofing around."

Oscar Beard also faces one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The hearing is scheduled to continue.