Disclaimer: This article tackles distressing topics such as abuse. Reader discretion is advised.

In times of need, we often go to authorities for help, protection, and security.

What happens if they fail to do their task to serve and protect?

In a disturbing turn of events that left a community reeling, a police officer overstepped the bounds of his authority, hurting an innocent citizen in the process.

The incident occurred at the Northern Hospital in Epping, where 70-year-old Sylvia Villani received treatment.

Mrs Villani, who was in a wheelchair with a plastered leg, described the incident as sudden and unprovoked.

'I threw a bit of bread on the ground...I was in a wheelchair, and he punched me,' she recounted.

A police member allegedly attacked a senior citizen without provocation. Image Credit: Pexels/Kindel Media

Mrs Villani sustained a broken eye socket, a 'black and blue' eye, and significant pain.

The emotional and physical toll on Villani has been considerable.

'I can't walk, I can't sit, I'm buggered,' she lamented.

'I don't know why he did it. I did call him some nasty names, I wasn't happy, but I didn't deserve it.'

Prior to the attack, three other police officers entered the hospital's premises.

The Villani family only knew of the situation after the hospital's notification.

Sylvia's son, Rick Villani, aired his frustration about the situation.

'I know my mum has mental health issues, and she's not perfect, but they've treated me, my wife and my mother with no respect,' he stated.

Victoria Police confirmed that the officer in question was on duty at the time of the incident.

Since then, the 26-year-old constable has been standing down following an internal investigation.

He had been charged with one count of recklessly causing injury.

The constable will also appear before the Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on 9 September.

Mrs Villani's case raised numerous questions about law enforcers' conduct and mandates to uphold the law and protect citizens.

It also highlighted the vulnerability of senior citizens, mainly when they are in a compromised state of health.

Incidents like these serve as a stark reminder to stay vigilant and ensure that those in positions of power are held accountable for their actions.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, seek help and report the incident to the appropriate authorities.

Key Takeaways

• A Victorian police officer was charged with recklessly causing injury after allegedly punching 70-year-old Sylvia Villani in a hospital.
• The 26-year-old constable was stood down following an internal investigation by Victoria Police.
• The unprovoked assault resulted in a broken eye socket and painful injuries.
• The charged officer is set to appear before Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on 9 September.

Have you or someone you know ever felt mistreated by authorities? What can we do to keep our communities safe? Share your thoughts and insights with us in the comments below.

 

[Winks]

l agree and of course he had no right to hit her.l was only saying if you get some person calling you names which she said she did l can see how it could happened. We haven't got the whole story.

No excuse, they should be mature enough to not react to petty behaviour.

 

[JimmyFlatrock]

The apparent actions of this police officer do not typify what I have seen so far in my life from many officers I have come across in my business and personal years.

All, bar one have acted in a professional way. Many have demonstrated having fine attributes along with the level of maturity one expects to be on show from a police officer.

At the end of the day, provocation has to be managed properly. I doubt if whacking a 70 year old is a good thing to do. If the story is accurate. Story is lacking a bit as well.

Maybe things are different state to state.

Could I have another slice of that delicious crow please.

 

[Macarj]

No wonder it is called law ENFORCEMENT. Law exacted not by consultation and negotiation, but by inordinate use of excessive force on a much weaker and vulnerable member of the public.

This PIG would not even think of doing the same act of gutless violence to a 6' 2" male of the same age. Because he is such a "brave" soul. More like arsehole!

Give me 60 seconds with this wimp. Nah! Make it 30 seconds since he wouldn't last a full minute!

I really hope we are not getting like the USA police

 

[Sherril54]

It`s never OK to assault another person, unless you are forced to defend your own physical safety. This hardly seems the case when dealing with an older person who had a broken leg and was sitting in a wheelchair. I wonder why the police were called at all! Why didn`t staff at the facility deal with what ever was going on at the time.
I do agree that the Police should show more professionalism and no violence toward vulnerble people, this sounds so inappropriate. We should be able to have confidence in those responsible for our protection and that of our loved ones at all aged care facilities and generally feel safe buy the Police.

 

[maxesmum]

Nothing justifies his reaction. Violence is never right. But we only have her story. Goodness knows what that young man had endured earlier in his shift. He could have faced awful horrors prior to this incident. That said,what he did was wrong,absolutely no excuse. He needs counselling and treatment for anger management and that’s just for starters. As for the woman,I’m sorry for her but sitting in a wheelchair with a broken leg doesn’t mean you can’t behave with dignity and respect. She appears to lack both.

 

[bschulze]

That is one of the stupidest comments I have ever heard.
Have you met "every copper".
There are good and bad people in every occupation
Unfortunately the world is not perfect, this particular police officer being such an example.
This does not give you the right to denigrate them all.
Would I be right in assuming that you have been on the wrong side of the law at some stage and that accounts for your paranoia.

This is not the first time this has accured have you for got that elderly lady that cop tasered and killed just recently in the same circumstances

 

[AussieSewMad]

All those of you who are angry right now please remember we are a group of very kind, considerate and sharing members of a very pleasant group. It saddened me to read some of you are not being very nice to each other. Everyone has an opinion and entitled to it but please, please do it nicely.

 

[bschulze]

It`s never OK to assault another person, unless you are forced to defend your own physical safety. This hardly seems the case when dealing with an older person who had a broken leg and was sitting in a wheelchair. I wonder why the police were called at all! Why didn`t staff at the facility deal with what ever was going on at the time.
I do agree that the Police should show more professionalism and no violence toward vulnerble people, this sounds so inappropriate. We should be able to have confidence in those responsible for our protection and that of our loved ones at all aged care facilities and generally feel safe buy the Police.

Those faciltys are just places where you are foisted off to die And yes i agree lack of staf training to handle situations is the main cause as this is not the first time that the nsw cips have done this as recntly they killed an old lady in the samew situation and thew every recouse they had to protect that copper as hes sill geting full pay while the matters befor the courts Far more polce training must be put into sorting these situations out than severe brutality

 

[mylittletibbies]

As said before, there is good and bad in every occupation. I have met some really nice police officers,and no I haven't been on the wrong side of the law.

This is not the first time this has accured have you for got that elderly lady that cop tasered and killed just recently in the same circumstances

Of course I have not forgotten, and where there is obviously more than one problem police officer there are also thousands of good ones.
Where would society be without these people who put their lives in the line, every day, for us.
Total anarchy.

 

[BeautifulMousey]

Of course I have not forgotten, and where there is obviously more than one problem police officer there are also thousands of good ones.
Where would society be without these people who put their lives in the line, every day, for us.
Total anarchy.

This is not the normal police action. 99% of the police are nice polite and helpful. Don't tar them all with the same brush

 

[Luckyus]

Help your local police force, Stitch yourself up?

 

[Annna]

That is one of the stupidest comments I have ever heard.
Have you met "every copper".
There are good and bad people in every occupation
Unfortunately the world is not perfect, this particular police officer being such an example.
This does not give you the right to denigrate them all.
Would I be right in assuming that you have been on the wrong side of the law at some stage and that accounts for your paranoia.

True, "every copper" is a stretch.

 

[marni]

No matter what police do or not do. I would want to take this person to civil court for assault and hopefully get recompense for costs and injuries.

 

[Ezzy]

Certainly not an incident we would like to see every day. No different to the elderly lady with a walker in a nursing home who was tasered. Police personnel should be approachable at all times, correct? The Policeman should not have lost his cool l agree but let's now look at this from his stance. Do we know what occurred immediately prior to this incident? Was he feeling threatened by this frail old lady? All should be revealed in Court.

How often do any of us snap at the drop of a hat, at work, at home or driving home from somewhere? Some things can be attributed to our personal lives. We shouldn't take things away from home but not easy to do sometimes.

I have known a good Policeman & a bad one but l don't tar them all with the same brush. Their duty is to protect us. Give these people the respect they deserve!

HOW MANY PEOPLE CALL THEM PIGS ETC. BUT IF OUR HOME IS BURGLED OR WE ARE ASSAULTED THEY ARE OUR BEST FRIENDS AREN'T THEY?

( I have written on here before how after a day at my demanding & stressful job l came home where a member of my family upset me & l lost it. I cannot remember a part of this incident, only the before & after & not the few seconds in between. I am too afraid to ask my wife what happened in that time).

 

[Veggiepatch]

My personal observation is that the more serious the crime, the less likely the police are to respond. A few years ago, I was a resident in a boarding house in Dandenong, Victoria, when another resident went berserk under the influence of ice. He smashed every window, destroyed most plaster panels in the common areas, destroyed two freestanding ovens and a washing machine as well as tearing the doors of the cupboards in the kitchen. I rang the police. After half an hour of wanton annihilation of private property, the person disappeared into the night. The police response was swift. They came to the property 26 hours after the event! Interviewed the offender for less than five minutes, left without any further action and didn't even bother consulting me, the original caller!

Fast forward a couple of months. I witnessed a senior sergeant and a constable in Clayton's main street, apprehending dangerous criminals for committing the most heinous crime known to man - crossing a road against the don't walk signal.

Police respond to things like a crying baby or barking dog without further ado. Throw a vulnerable person into the mix for even more rapid response. Easy targets are easy to deal with. Someone causing wanton destruction is a greater challenge and is best ignored. Gutless wimps!

 

[Luckyus]

My personal observation is that the more serious the crime, the less likely the police are to respond. A few years ago, I was a resident in a boarding house in Dandenong, Victoria, when another resident went berserk under the influence of ice. He smashed every window, destroyed most plaster panels in the common areas, destroyed two freestanding ovens and a washing machine as well as tearing the doors of the cupboards in the kitchen. I rang the police. After half an hour of wanton annihilation of private property, the person disappeared into the night. The police response was swift. They came to the property 26 hours after the event! Interviewed the offender for less than five minutes, left without any further action and didn't even bother consulting me, the original caller!

Fast forward a couple of months. I witnessed a senior sergeant and a constable in Clayton's main street, apprehending dangerous criminals for committing the most heinous crime known to man - crossing a road against the don't walk signal.

Police respond to things like a crying baby or barking dog without further ado. Throw a vulnerable person into the mix for even more rapid response. Easy targets are easy to deal with. Someone causing wanton destruction is a greater challenge and is best ignored. Gutless wimps!

I know from personal experience, where your coming from and they are armed. I can remember when they had beat coppers? If you met one late at night or early morn they would appreciate you walking and talking to them.

 

[dogs2016]

I unfortunely in the same position .She chased me across the road as i wouldnt press charges against my partner. Slammed me against the paddy wagon.I have had 3 strokes and got breast cancer.Want to sue as the police woman in question is known for her violence ,but to scared to .I am 62 Bendigo

 

[dogs2016]

Also got 3 broken ribs from the copper

 

[Luckyus]

I unfortunely in the same position .She chased me across the road as i wouldnt press charges against my partner. Slammed me against the paddy wagon.I have had 3 strokes and got breast cancer.Want to sue as the police woman in question is known for her violence ,but to scared to .I am 62 Bendigo

Make a formal complaint, but first seek legal aid and see what they say plus it would be nice if you have any proof?

 

[Ezzy]

My personal observation is that the more serious the crime, the less likely the police are to respond. A few years ago, I was a resident in a boarding house in Dandenong, Victoria, when another resident went berserk under the influence of ice. He smashed every window, destroyed most plaster panels in the common areas, destroyed two freestanding ovens and a washing machine as well as tearing the doors of the cupboards in the kitchen. I rang the police. After half an hour of wanton annihilation of private property, the person disappeared into the night. The police response was swift. They came to the property 26 hours after the event! Interviewed the offender for less than five minutes, left without any further action and didn't even bother consulting me, the original caller!

Fast forward a couple of months. I witnessed a senior sergeant and a constable in Clayton's main street, apprehending dangerous criminals for committing the most heinous crime known to man - crossing a road against the don't walk signal.

Police respond to things like a crying baby or barking dog without further ado. Throw a vulnerable person into the mix for even more rapid response. Easy targets are easy to deal with. Someone causing wanton destruction is a greater challenge and is best ignored. Gutless wimps!

The boarding house would have been a job for the riot squad not an ordinary policeman l believe.

Here in W.A. when l was a boy 2 policeman were sent to a house near me due to problems with a person living there. He shot & killed both of those officers near the car on the verge of the road. They weren't prepared, trained or knew exactly what to expect. Had they known l don't think they would have attended. The same could apply to the officers killed recently at the farmhouse. The first rule of FIRST AID is to look after yourself first. If the area isn't safe, stay back.