Schoolgirl killer Sean Price faces cop attack charges after alleged kill threat, assault
Published by the Herald Sun on April 8, 2019.
Schoolgirl killer Sean Price allegedly assaulted and threatened to kill two police officers while behind bars.
Price, 34, is serving a minimum 40-year jail term for the 2015 murder of 17-year-old Masa Vukotic in a Doncaster park, and the rape of a woman in a Christian bookshop in Sunshine two days later.
The Herald Sun understands Price could face further jail time under laws which deter attacks against emergency service workers.
Charge sheets show Price is facing three serious charges, including threats to kill a Victoria Police leading senior constable at Barwon Prison on October 5 last year.
He is also charged with assault and without lawful excuse intentionally causing injury to a Victoria Police detective senior constable at the prison on October 23.
It is understood both alleged incidents took place while police were interviewing Price, and were captured on CCTV cameras.
Police attended the maximum-security prison on October 5 to question him about a complaint he made.
It is alleged Price threatened to kill the police officer during the exchange.
More than a fortnight later, he allegedly assaulted a detective during a discussion about charges against Price.
The extent of the officer’s injuries is unknown however he was taken to hospital.
At least one of the charges could fall under mandatory minimum sentencing laws for assaults on first responders.
Price appeared via video-link during a brief hearing at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Wearing a white T-shirt, he stared into the camera and spoke only to confirm he was serving his sentence at Barwon Prison.
The matter will return to court for a contested hearing on May 28.
Police Association Secretary Wayne Gatt condemned attacks against police.
“This simply reinforces the danger of the work our members face. Be it on the street or behind closed doors, their work leaves them vulnerable to physical and emotional injury,” he said.
Last month the Court of Appeal reduced Price’s total minimum term from 41 years to 40.
Ms Vukotic had been talking to birds during an evening stroll when she was randomly targeted and killed by Price on March 17.
The killer had spent 11 hours on Melbourne’s public transport system looking for a victim before getting on a bus to Doncaster.
He went on to rape a woman in a bookshop before reporting himself to his corrections officer.
Corrections Victoria declined to comment as the matter is before the courts.