Sergeant Meredith, 39, was in a night club on January 1, 2010, while off duty in Katherine and tried to stop a fight on New Years Day. Sergeant Meredith was punched once in the head after which he fell hitting his head hard on the ground and was knocked unconscious and suffered severe head injuries. He never regained consciousness. He was at Club 23 with friends, including another off-duty officer, Kevin Carr, and when a fight broke out and the pair intervened. Two men are in custody over the incident, in which Constable Carr received minor injuries. Sergeant Meredith’s wife Amee, a decorated police officer, was on duty near by and rushed to her husband’s side as he was taken to Katherine hospital and placed in an induced coma, and was then medi-vacced at about 7.45am on New Year’s Day to Royal Darwin Hospital where he underwent surgery for a fractured skull and swelling to the brain. At 5:00 p.m. the following day a decision was made to take him off life support when Doctors told Amee Meredith that Brett had a 1 per cent chance of survival and the best scenario for him was that he would not be aware of his surroundings. Sergeant Meredith then passed away at 5:08 p.m. The security-camera footage based on what was seen shows they were not prepared for the attack and there is no way Sergeant Meredith was an instigator. Breath samples taken from Sgt Meredith at the hospital after the incident revealed a blood alcohol reading of 0.20 per cent. Sergeant Meredith joined the NSW police in 1990, working in the State Protection Group Dog Unit. He was awarded the NSW Police Medal in 2004 and the National Police Medal in 2006. In 2000, he was given a citation for his role in the arrest of a violent offender and in 2006 was given a certificate of merit for his part in arresting armed offenders during a robbery. In 2005 he became a dog handler and specialised in explosives’ detection. In late 2007, the couple sold their house at Bargo, in the NSW southern highlands and moved to the Territory, seeking a safer home for their children, Samuel, 6, Jordy, 4, and Abbey, 2. Sgt Meredith is also father to Brad, 9, and Lily, 7, from a previous marriage. Over one thousand attended his service and a private ceremony was held for his cremation. A slow-moving riderless horse marked the beginning of the funeral for Brett Meredith. The horse bore a saddle with a pair of empty boots reversed in the stirrups, representing a fallen leader looking back on his troops for the last time, as it made its way to the Cathedral. A trust fund has been set up to help the family of fallen policeman Brett Meredith. Deposits can be made electronically to: NT Police Association Inc. ATF Brett Meredith, BSB: 805-005, Account No: 5116830. People in NT and SA can also make donations at any branch of the Police Credit Union. For more information or if problems are faced, contact Julie Colbert at the association’s office on (08) 8981 8840.
Both Michael Simon Martyn and Aaron James Vale have been both charged in the incident that happened on New Years Day. Michael Simon Martyn, 38, a builder’s laborer, has been charged with one count of manslaughter over the officer’s death and magistrate Melanie Little remanded Mr Martyn in custody until January 13. Aaron James Vale, 28, appeared in the Darwin Magistrates Court charged with assault on a police officer and causing harm, for assaulting Const Carr. He’s accused of punching Const Carr as he tried to assist his unconscious friend. Magistrate Daynor Trigg refused bail for Vale and adjourned the matter until January 14. 2010.
On 1/14/10 Aaron James Vale, 28, appeared in the Darwin Magistrates Court and will have to live at his grandmother’s house and not drink alcohol or go to any licensed venues. Mr. Vale’s mother Kerry Vale had to put down a $1,000 cash security for Mr. Vale’s release. Vale pleaded guilty to an aggravated assault of Constable Kevin Carr and on June 1, 2010 Aaron James Vale was sentenced in Katherine Magistrates Court to seven months in prison , but it was suspended on the 14 days he had already served. Vale’s seven-month sentence was suspended on the conditions that he be under supervision for 12 months, and not drink alcohol or enter licensed premises for six months.
When Michael Simon Martyn appeared in the Darwin Magistrates Court court on 1/13/10 the court heard how he extensive criminal history spanning the NT, NSW and South Australia. Martyn’s lawyer, Glen Dooley, told the court. it was possible a self-defence case would be raised. He told the court the incident had started when Martyn brushed past Sgt Meredith at Club 23. Mr Dooley said the security guards who removed Martyn from the scene gave statements claiming that Martyn shook their hands and apologised for his behaviour as he left the club to go home. He was later arrested by police. Constable Kevin Carr, who was celebrating New Year’s Eve with Sgt Meredith, described Sgt Meredith as intoxicated but not “staggering drunk”. Mr Dooley asked that his client be granted bail to reside with his young family in Adelaide. Sgt O’Neill said SA police did not have the power to arrest Martyn if he breached the conditions of his bail agreement. He said granting Martyn bail to reside in NT would also pose problems, due to concerns he may try to interfere with witnesses. Previously convicted of multiple charges relating to assaulting police, aggravated assault and the deprivation of liberty, the court heard police in NSW describe Martyn as a “standover man” who intimidated witnesses. Magistrate Sue Oliver ordered a bail assessment report and adjourned the matter until January 19, 2010. On January 19, 2010 Martyn was granted bail on his birthday on the condition he did not associate with anyone on a list of hundreds of potential witnesses. He will have to report to police every day, is not allowed to buy or consume alcohol, is not allowed to leave the Darwin area, and has a curfew between 8pm and 6am. Martyn will appear before the court again on February 9, 2010. At his February 9, 2010 court appearance his restrictions were made less. Before he had to report to the police on a daily basis but now only has to report into police on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and is allowed to go fishing. On May 11, 2010, Michael Simon Martyn’s committal hearing started with fifty witnesses to be called. On June 16, 2011, Michael Simon Martyn. Was found guilty of manslaughter. A Supreme Court jury of 5 women and seven men returned a guilty verdict in two hours. On June 16, 2011, Michael Simon Martyn, 40, was found guilty of manslaughter. A Supreme Court jury of 5 women and seven men returned a guilty verdict in two hours. Martyn was sentenced by Judge Peter Barr July 20, 2011 to three years and eight months in jail, with a non-parole period of one year and 10 months, for the manslaughter of Sergeant Brett Meredith, 39.
