Gladesville Attack Preceded Police Officer’s Alleged Data Breaches

Suspended NSW Police constable John Paul Vassallo, charged with multiple data breaches, suffered a stabbing attack in Gladesville that preceded the majority of his alleged unauthorised database access, Penrith Local Court heard on Monday.



The November 2021 Gladesville incident, where Vassallo was stabbed in the head by Zubair Joarder while responding to a siege, was highlighted during his bail hearing. Court documents show that following this attack, Vassallo allegedly accessed the NSW Police COPS database without authorisation approximately 600 times.

His attorney Hisham Karnib presented evidence of Vassallo’s ongoing PTSD treatment stemming from the Gladesville attack. Joarder was sentenced in August 2023 to six years imprisonment with a three-year non-parole period.

The 29-year-old officer faces 11 charges, including misconduct in public office and unauthorised access to restricted data. Prosecutors allege he searched for information about bikie gang members, persons of interest in a Marrickville shooting, and various personal associates.



Magistrate Brian van Zuylen granted bail with conditions including a $10,000 surety and restrictions on accessing police systems. The case continues at Sydney’s Downing Centre in March.

Published 13-January-2025