Two police officers fended off an attack by a man wielding a knife in central Queenstown early yesterday.
Constables Simon Dillon and Daniel Andrew were patrolling on Camp St when they were approached by the man, who was apparently intoxicated, shortly after 1am, Sergeant Andy Grant said.
The man became abusive and aggressive towards the officers and pulled a knife from his pocket, Sgt Grant said.
He was wrestled to the ground by the two officers and dropped the weapon in the struggle, before being arrested.
Both officers were wearing stab-proof vests and were not injured in the incident, Sgt Grant said.
The exact type of knife was not known, but it was believed to be a pocket knife.
The officers were rostered on night shift and could not be contacted yesterday.
Appearing in the Queenstown District Court yesterday, Rory Paul McKay (30), unemployed, of Queenstown, entered no plea and was remanded in custody to reappear on March 31.
He faces charges of possessing an offensive weapon, assaulting Const Andrew using a knife as a weapon, assaulting Const Dillon, resisting Const Andrew and disorderly behaviour.
Addressing justice of the peace Daphne Stewart, Sgt Grant said police opposed bail because the "unprovoked and random'' nature of the attack was of concern.
Duty solicitor Tony Oxnevad indicated the defendant would deny using a weapon in an assault, or that any assault took place.
The altercation was the result of "too much alcohol'' but appropriate bail conditions - including a 10pm to 7am curfew and a ban on entering licensed premises except supermarkets - could prevent further incidents, Mr Oxnevad said.
However, Mrs Stewart ruled the incident was too serious to consider granting bail.
"You were drunk and aggressive and that's not the sort of behaviour that goes down well in this community,'' she said.
