Detectives from the Portland Police Division have charged a man with several offences following an incident that occurred in Long Bay district, Manchioneal, Portland on Saturday, November 2.

Charged with Possession of an Imitation Firearm, Escaping Custody, Assaulting a Constable, and Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm 58-year-old farmer, Winston Ward, also known as ‘Wardie,’ a from Long Road district, Manchioneal, Portland.

According to reports from the Manchioneal Police, about 5:30 p.m., Ward, who was already in custody on charges of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon and Assault at Common Law, informed officers that he wished to surrender the firearm he had used during a previous incident, claiming that it was an imitation.

Ward was subsequently escorted by police to an area in his yard, where he retrieved an imitation firearm and handed it over to the officers. However, Ward then pushed the officer and attempted to flee the area on foot.

He was later apprehended, taken back into custody, and officially charged with the additional offences. His court date is currently being arranged.