Man accused of assaulting police officer during roadside test to face hearing

A MAN accused of using his keys to strike a highway patrol officer in the face after he was pulled over for random testing at East Maitland will face a hearing next year.

Timothy Charles Mizzi, 23, was granted bail by a judge after his arrest in April, a decision that enraged the police union.

Mizzi appeared in Maitland Local Court this week and his matter was set down for hearing in January 2027.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer and causing actual bodily harm, using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention and refusing to submit to a drug test.

He remains on bail, despite breaching the conditions in May when he was charged with possessing a prohibited drug and having a knife in a public place.

Mizzi was briefly bail refused again after his arrest and prosecutors made an application to have him detained, but it was rejected and he was granted bail again on May 16.

Mizzi pleaded guilty to those charges this week and they were adjourned until July.

The Newcastle Herald reported in April that a police officer had been taken to hospital with multiple facial injuries after he was allegedly attacked during roadside testing.

Senior Constable Tom Anderson stopped Mizzi on Victoria Street at East Maitland about 1pm on April 10 for a roadside breath test, which was negative.

But police say things became violent when the 23-year-old allegedly refused to undergo an oral fluid drug test and tried to drive away.

According to the police union, Senior Constable Anderson tried to stop Mizzi by removing the keys from the vehicle.

Police allege Mizzi got out and assaulted the police officer, putting his keys between his fingers and striking him in the face multiple times.

A member of the public stepped in to help, allowing Senior Constable Anderson to Taser and then arrest Mizzi.

The officer was taken to Maitland Hospital with multiple injuries to his face.

It's understood he received five stitches under his eye before being released.

Mizzi was later charged and refused bail by police.

He spent the night in custody before facing a weekend bail court, when he was granted conditional bail in a decision that angered the police union.

Ian Allwood, vice president of Police Association of NSW, said it was "no wonder" victims of crime were losing faith in the justice system and it was lucky the police officer did not suffer permanent damage or lose an eye.

In a statement, Police Minister Yasmin Catley described the alleged attack as "vile and cowardly".

"Our police put themselves on the line every day to keep our community safe," she said.

"They should never be met with violence for doing their job."