Despite being caught on security cameras outside of a Surry Hills clinic, the man who violently attacked the partner of a woman inside the clinic has escaped conviction.
In vision obtained by 9NEWS, the 21-year-old partner was seen standing outside the clinic on Devonshire Street when he was confronted by anti-abortion activists.
Paul Hanrahan, the coordinator of Helpers of God’s Precious Infants – who claim to offer “sidewalk counselling” to those seeking terminations – confronted the man, while other members of the ‘prayer group’ surrounded him. One man was even filming the confrontation (!).
Another man came from his protest spot across the street and unloaded at least four punches, while the others, including Hanrahan, a 60 year-old father of five, stood by.
A man was arrested and charged after the assault on January 30, 2016 but as reported by 9News, escaped conviction. A magistrate did not convict the man of assault, as police could not prove beyond reasonable doubt his identity.
The ruling follows the introduction of the Public Health Amendment (Safe Access to Reproductive Health Clinics) Bill 2018 into NSW Legislative Council on May 1.
The Bill was introduced to “provide for safe access zones around reproductive health clinics at which abortions are provided”; essentially blocking protesters from gathering outside clinics with a 150-metre exclusion zone.
WATCH FOOTAGE OF THE ASSAULT ON 9NEWS
