What is common assault in New South Wales?

30-year-old police officer, Ryan Barlow, who pleaded not guilty to assaulting an Aboriginal teenager in Sydney was found guilty by Local Court Magistrate Attia following a defended hearing heard at the Downing Centre Local Court at the beginning of this year.

Barlow violently arrested the young teen and was charged with one count of common assault. Barlow's defence team argued that reasonable force was used when he conducted the controversial leg sweep at the Aboriginal teenager. The Court found that the force used was not reasonable, which resulted in a finding that the officer was not acting in the due execution of his duty as a police officer constituting a common assault at the Ward Park in Surry Hills where the incident infolded.