Constable faces standards investigation over allegations he used ‘excessive force’ on 23-year-old in Cairns in April

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A police officer has been charged with grievous bodily harm over the alleged assault of a young British man in north Queensland.

The alleged victim suffered injuries including a fractured jaw and eye socket, the watchdog said.

The Crime and Corruption Commission charged the constable, 41, on Thursday, alleging he assaulted the 23-year-old Briton in a display of excessive force in Cairns on 17 April.

“The CCC has reviewed the available evidence and determined there are reasonable prospects of a successful criminal prosecution,” it said.

The officer is due to face Cairns magistrates court on 11 August.

The CCC said the Queensland police service’s ethical standards command had been told of the decision to charge the officer, raising the prospect of separate disciplinary procedures against him.

Queensland police said the officer had been stood down.

A police union spokesman said the union was “currently assisting the officer involved in defending the matter” but he was unable to comment further as the matter was now before the courts.