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Court ends case against police charged over tasering and pepper spraying ‘vulnerable’ First Nations man

The Guardian World Friday 21 August 2026, 01:16 UTC By Ben Smee Queensland state correspondent 1 min read
Key Points

Court finds ‘defects’ in investigation of two senior constables charged over 2024 incident at Mareeba watch house in far north QueenslandTwo police officers charged with criminal offences over the use of capsicum spray, Tasers and restraints on a “cognitively and emotionally vulnerable” First Nations man in police custody have had the case against them permanently stayed, after a court found “defects” in the subsequent investigation. Andrew David Couchman, 54, and Ulrich Weiss, 45, both...

Court finds ‘defects’ in investigation of two senior constables charged over 2024 incident at Mareeba watch house in far north Queensland

Two police officers charged with criminal offences over the use of capsicum spray, Tasers and restraints on a “cognitively and emotionally vulnerable” First Nations man in police custody have had the case against them permanently stayed, after a court found “defects” in the subsequent investigation.

Andrew David Couchman, 54, and Ulrich Weiss, 45, both senior constables, were both charged over the incident at the Mareeba watch house in far north Queensland in January 2024.

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First Nations (ORG) Court (ORG) Mareeba watch house (ORG) Andrew David Couchman (PERSON) Ulrich Weiss (PERSON) Mareeba (ORG) Queensland (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian World Read original →

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