New South Wales admits police officer punched pro-Palestine protester in the eye
The state of New South Wales has admitted in court documents that a police officer punched Hannah Thomas in the eye while holding a torch during a pro-Palestine protest in Sydney in June 2025, and has offered to pay her medical costs.
Admissions of Battery and False Imprisonment
The state admitted to false imprisonment and battery in its defense to a civil action filed by Thomas in October. It denied claims of malicious prosecution and malfeasance in public office.
Thomas was arrested and charged alongside four others at a protest of about 60 people at SEC Plating. Three months later, all charges against Thomas and three other protesters were dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Details of the Incident
- Senior Constable Christopher Davis punched Thomas's right eye, causing bleeding and swelling. At the time, he was holding a torch in his right hand. The state admitted this constituted a battery and has offered to pay reasonable medical expenses.
- The state admitted another battery when Senior Constable Pir Ali Noohpoto grabbed Thomas's upper body, causing her to shout in pain.
- It also admitted that Noohpoto took hold of Thomas's arms to remove her from a group of protesters, but argued that other officers used reasonable force to suppress a breach of the peace and acted in self-defense.
- The state agreed that after being punched, Thomas lay on the ground and was not allowed to leave, and that her eye remained closed and appeared injured.
Claims Denied by State
The state denied claims of malicious prosecution and malfeasance in public office. Thomas alleged an officer falsified the narrative and charged her for an improper purpose.
Thomas's lawyers claimed she was entitled to aggravated and exemplary damages, alleging Davis's conduct was manifestly excessive. The state denied these claims.
Background
- Thomas weighed 45 kg and was 156 cm tall at the time of the battery.
- She underwent three rounds of surgery on her right eye.
- Davis pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm; his criminal hearing is scheduled for February 2026.
- The protest was organized by Weapons Out the West, concerned with manufacturing companies like SEC Plating providing components for weapons thought to be used by Israel in Gaza. SEC Plating previously denied this.
- Thomas was initially charged with resisting police and refusing or failing to comply with a direction to disperse. The second charge relied on an emergency power introduced after the 2005 Cronulla riots. That charge was withdrawn in July, replaced with an additional direction charge. The DPP withdrew all charges in September.
- Thomas was awarded $22,000 in legal costs.
- NSW police said it was inappropriate to respond as the matter is litigated.
- The next civil claim hearing is scheduled for early September.