Police Security Officer Found Not Guilty of Domestic Violence Charges

A 36-year-old police security officer from Aldinga Beach has been found not guilty of domestic violence charges in the South Australian District Court.

Tim Waverley Morrison stood trial earlier this year, pleading not guilty to two counts of aggravated assault and one count of aggravated threatening life against his former partner.

Charges and Trial

During the trial, a prosecutor alleged that Morrison had, on one occasion, held a police-issued firearm to his then-partner's chest, and on another, held a knife to her neck. The alleged incidents occurred in the latter half of 2019.

Court Ruling

Judge Lisa Dunlop delivered the verdict, acquitting Morrison. She emphasized that the verdict did not imply the complainant had lied in her evidence.

"The verdict should not be seen as a finding that the complainant has lied in her evidence," she said.

Judge Dunlop explained that she had carefully assessed the evidence but was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt.

"I have carefully assessed her evidence, and it has not satisfied me, as to the charged acts, beyond reasonable doubt."

She highlighted that proof beyond reasonable doubt is a high standard and that there were too many deficiencies in the evidence to reach that conclusion.

"There are too many deficiencies in the evidence to permit me to reach that conclusion to that standard."

Reaction

Morrison's lawyer, James Caldicott, stated that his client was grateful for the court process.

"Obviously, Tim has always maintained his innocence in respect of this, but for all intents and purposes we just ask for peace and for the family to be able to move forward," he said.

When asked by reporters if he felt vindicated, Morrison responded:

"Yes."

He did not answer questions about whether he would return to work as a police security officer.