New South Wales cop found guilty over death in custody

A New South Wales police officer has been found guilty of the in-custody death of a man in 2017.

The officer, who cannot be named, was found guilty of the manslaughter of 37-year-old Bradley Ugle, who died after being restrained by police in a park in the Sydney suburb of Mona Vale.

Justice Robert Beech-Jones handed down the verdict in the New South Wales Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Ugle's family had been waiting for justice for more than five years, during which time they had experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, according to their lawyer, Andrew Watson.

"It's a very significant verdict, it's a very significant day for the Ugle family, and it's a very significant day for the community," Watson said.

"The fact that one of the police officers involved in the restraint has been held criminally responsible for Mr Ugle's death is a very important step forward in terms of police accountability and community trust in the justice system."

Watson said the verdict would help to rebuild trust between the community and police.

"It's a message to the community that police are held accountable for their actions, and that the justice system is working," he said.

The officer will be sentenced at a later date.

Resuming in the Supreme Court this morning, Justice Robert Beech-Jones said it was a difficult case, but he had come to a conclusion.

"I have come to the conclusion that the evidence satisfied me that the officer was reckless as to whether or not Mr Ugle's life was at risk," he said.

"The officer, in my view, did not take the steps he ought to have taken to protect Mr Ugle's safety, and instead took steps that increased the risk of harm to Mr Ugle."

Watson said the family was relieved and grateful for the verdict.

"We had a very difficult five years," he said.

"We had to deal with the trauma and the grief of losing a family member, and we had to deal with the stress of the court case, and the anxiety of not knowing what the outcome would be."

"We're relieved that the justice system has worked, and that we have some sense of closure and some sense of vindication, and we're grateful for the opportunity to move forward and to rebuild our lives."

The officer's lawyer, Sue Hinchey, told the court that her client had provided first aid to Ugle while he was in custody.

"My client was not the primary person involved in the restraint of Mr Ugle," she said.

"My client did provide first aid to Mr Ugle, and my client did report the incident to her supervisor."

Hinchey said her client had been a police officer for more than 10 years and had a good record.

"My client is not a person who has a history of misconduct or a history of violence," she said.

"My client is a person who has served the community with integrity and with dedication, and who has been a positive influence on her colleagues and on the community."

But the prosecution argued that the officer's actions had contributed to Ugle's death.

"The fact that Mr Ugle died as a result of the restraint by the police is not in dispute," prosecutor Mark Tedeschi said.

"The question is, was there a breach of duty by the officer that caused or contributed to Mr Ugle's death?"

Tedeschi said the officer had used excessive force during the restraint and had failed to follow proper procedures.

"The officer did not follow the procedures that were in place for the restraint of Mr Ugle," he said.

"The officer did not call for assistance, the officer did not call for medical assistance, and the officer did not follow the procedures that were in place for the restraint of a person who was intoxicated and who was being restrained by the police."

The case has been a significant one for the community, with many people calling for police accountability and reform.

Ugle's family has been a vocal advocate for police reform and has spoken out about the need for greater accountability within the police force.

"We've been saying for years that police accountability is crucial," Watson said.

"This verdict sends a message to police that they are accountable for their actions, and that the community expects them to be held to high standards."

Watson said the verdict would help to rebuild trust between the community and police.

"It's a message to the community that police are held accountable for their actions, and that the justice system is working," he said.

National Indigenous Times — 2025-11-28

New South Wales cop found guilty over death in custody

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