The court learned that the officers kicked, stomped, and capsicum sprayed the naked woman while she was on the ground. The brutality of their actions was further highlighted when one of them sent body-worn camera clips to a colleague, boasting: “We caved her.
”
Timothy John Trautsch, 30, and Nathan Black, 28, responded to a call about the woman in an Emu Plains cul-de-sac. The distressing encounter unfolded as they found the woman sitting near a tree—her state of psychosis evident.
The court proceedings unveiled shocking details about the assault. The officers faced charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company, common assault, and using a prohibited weapon. Black also admitted guilt to intentionally publishing protected information.
Expert analysis suggests that such behavior by law enforcement is unacceptable under any circumstances. It raises serious questions about police training, mental health awareness, and crisis intervention protocols.
During the sentencing hearing at Penrith District Court, body-worn footage was played revealing snippets of the interaction between the officers and the distressed woman. She defiantly told them: “
If you touch me, you are f***ed.
” Despite her resistance to being physically handled by them, she stood up at one point but ended up lying on the ground kicking at the officers.
The court heard how Trautsch OC-sprayed her face and genitals while she was seated cross-legged—a completely disproportionate use of force given her condition. Black also used pepper spray on her exposed back causing abrasions before dragging her along by her hair and repeatedly kicking and stomping on her while she lay defenseless.
In an alarming turn of events after this brutal episode unfolded on the street, Black callously shared video clips with a colleague from his phone where he described emptying both OC cans on her body. His insensitive comments included: “
She was f***ed…the whole body-worn is so good shows her being f***ed.”
Prosecutors emphasized that such extreme measures were unwarranted even if tensions escalated during the arrest—the woman did not pose enough threat to justify such violent actions like kicks to the head.
Sadly, it was later revealed that unrelated circumstances led to the woman’s death post-assault. This tragic outcome underscores not only police misconduct but also systemic failures when dealing with vulnerable individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Following an internal investigation by NSW Police which ultimately resulted in legal notices threatening their removal from duty; Trautsch and Black resigned from their positions in August 2023.
As this case continues its legal course with ongoing sentencing hearings shaping public opinion—there is heightened awareness regarding accountability within law enforcement agencies towards ensuring incidents like these are never repeated again.
