Australian photographer expresses disappointment as Taylor Swift's dad escapes charges for assaulting him
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Australian photographer Ben McDonald, 51, has voiced his extreme displeasure that cops will not pursue any further action after he claimed that Taylor Swift's father Scott punched him in the face during her most recent Australian tour.
The alleged incident involving photographer McDonald happened in the early hours of February 27, after the pop star wrapped up her final Australian gig of The Eras Tour in Sydney.
After the pop diva's final performance in Sydney, the Australian photojournalist accused Scott Swift, 71, of punching him in the face.
Ben McDonald expresses his disappointment in police decision
The 'Lover' singer and her father took a luxurious yacht from Homebush to the ferry port in Neutral Bay after the singer's final performance in Sydney.
McDonald claimed that while attempting to take pictures of the 'Lavender Haze' singer, Taylor's father punched him in the face.
McDonald further alleged he had "very sore chops" at the side of his face for days following the incident, despite the fact he did not need medical attention.
Following the event, NSW Police conducted an investigation, interviewing witnesses and analyzing CCTV and video material over four weeks.
On Tuesday, March 26, the inquiry came to an end, and Scott was not charged or subject to any more action.
Matrix Media Group CEO McDonald has since voiced his dissatisfaction with the police verdict. The photographer further stated that Taylor's supporters have bombarded him with phone calls and emails filled with threats and hatred, per Daily Mail.
According to McDonald, investigators informed him that they had statements from four international security team members who were there at the time and information from Scott through his legal representative.
Ben McDonald further publicly shares emails sent to him by authorities
Taylor's representative told Daily Mail Australia that two people were pushing their way towards her, grabbing at her security staff, and "threatening to throw a female staff member into the water." They described the photographers as being "aggressive" after the incident.
McDonald, however, disputed the claim, stating that Taylor was the only female present. Furthermore, he made the email that the police sent him on March 26 available to the public.
"The evidence offered by Scott SWIFT and other witnesses raised self defence of another as defense (lawful excuse) to the offense of common assault, thus putting an onus on the prosecution to disprove this," the police email said.
"On review of the evidence and legal advice, this cannot be disproved by the prosecution."
McDonald has asked his attorney to examine the conclusions, with a focus on the application of "self defence as defense to the offense of common assault."
McDonald said in a statement: "It is hard to imagine that Mr Swift had such little confidence in the skills and expertise of Taylor's highly trained Close Personal Protection team, many of whom are former military (special forces) that he felt he had to personally come to his daughter's 'defense' and directly punch me in the face."
He added that he was informed there were no Australian security officers with licenses there at the time.
"I believe Mr Swift was tired and annoyed that we had found the spot they were taking his daughter off the boat, as evidenced by the video showing him raise his middle finger at us."
"(I believe he) just ran in seeing the opportunity to vent his frustrations with a sucker punch while I was otherwise distracted by the bodyguards," the Australian photographer added.
Aussie photographer fire back at Swifties
Additionally, McDonald retaliated against Swifties, claiming that they had harassed and threatened him.
"I find these mostly amusing as I believe them to be mainly from young fans just lashing out in defense of their idol and I do not take them seriously," the photographer retorted.
"That said, by and large I believe Police are hardworking and I thank them for their time irrespective of the result."
McDonald earlier asserted that a camera filmed the moments preceding the altercation and showed no signs of the photographers acting "aggressively."
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