A former Home and Away actor accused of assaulting a female police officer has been revealed to be dying from an incurable disease, a court was told.
WATCH: Former Home and Away actor Joel McIlroy charged with allegedly assaulting police officer
Joel McIlroy, 46, appeared in Central Local Court on Wednesday, charged with assaulting and hospitalising a female police officer on Tuesday morning.
The actor’s Legal Aid lawyer told the court his client was suffering from Huntington’s disease, which results in poor impulse control, when he allegedly assaulted the police officer, The Daily Telegraph reported.
“Ms McIlroy is a person who cannot always control his impulses and that is a condition that will continue,” the lawyer said.
His legal representation went on to say the actor was diagnosed with the condition 10 years ago, and the same affliction also killed his father.
McIlroy was arrested after he allegedly shoulder-charged and punched a female officer, who was trying to arrest another man in an unrelated incident.
On Wednesday, the 46-year-old shouted: “Lies” and “that’s incorrect” when police prosecutor Liam Edwards accused him of trying to put the female officer into a headlock.
The female officer and a colleague were trying to arrest another man on Rutland Street, Surry Hills, about 11.15am on Tuesday, when McIlroy approached them, Nine News reported.
The actor wasn’t involved in the unrelated incident, but after the officers told him to move on, he allegedly assaulted the female senior constable, police said.
Police then tried to arrest the 46-year-old, before a scuffle broke out, which resulted in the actor and two officers falling to the ground.
A member of the public then intervened and assisted police in arresting the man, before he was taken to Surry Hills Police Station.
The 29-year-old officer was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital, where she was treated for injuries to her face, neck and shoulder after allegedly being punched repeatedly.
She has since been released from hospital, but will require ongoing physiotherapy for a dislodged vertebrae, Mr Edwards told the court.
McIlroy was charged with two counts of assault officer in execution of duty, resist officer in execution of duty, and willfully obstruct officer in execution of duty.
On Wednesday, he broke down in tears as Magistrate Robert Williams ordered him to remain behind bars until his next court date on November 5.
The Silver Logie Award nominee previously starred on Home and Away alongside his on-screen wife Sally, played by Kate Richie.
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