Blacktown assault charges

A man will face court on November 18 over the assault of a gay couple from Blacktown in May.
The 21-year-old Lalor Park man has been arrested and charged with the alleged bashing of Aaron Warnecke and Greg Harland, who were attacked by men wielding metal poles in May of this year.
The couple’s bashing sparked outrage when the story was splashed across the cover of Sydney Star Observer earlier this year.
“Following extensive investigations about 7.30am, Tuesday October 20, a Lalor Park man attended Blacktown Police Station and was arrested by detectives,” a spokesman for NSW Police Media said last Thursday.
“The man was charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray, common assault and possess offensive implement.”
Harland told SSO “it was a relief” to see charges finally laid, “but we know this is really only the beginning”.
Investigations are continuing and police have expressed interest in two other men, aged 19 and 27, who may have been involved in the assault.
Harland said the pair were mending well and were looking to move out of the area.
“Aaron is getting better bit by bit. Some days he’s good, and some days not so good, but we’re just keeping positive,” he said.