Canberra is grappling with the fallout from a harrowing incident that left two teenage boys seriously injured and has now sparked allegations of excessive force against police. Tayler Christian Hazell, 32, is facing sentencing after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm, stemming from a crash near St Edmund’s College in March 2025. But the case took a troubling turn this week with claims that Hazell was allegedly assaulted by officers from the Australian Federal Police’s (AFP) Territory Response Group following his arrest, raising questions about police conduct and accountability.
The incident began when Hazell stole a Holden Commodore from outside a childcare centre in Sutton, New South Wales, with an eight-year-old girl still inside, according to court documents. He then drove the vehicle to Canberra, where he struck the two students outside St Edmund’s College on March 28, 2025. The boys, aged 14 and 15, suffered severe injuries; one was described as life-threatening. Members of the public detained Hazell until police arrived.
Details of the alleged assault emerged during Hazell’s sentencing hearing in the ACT Supreme Court. Sam Lynch, Hazell’s lawyer from the Aboriginal Legal Service, told the court that his client was handcuffed and seated when two AFP tactical response members arrived after the initial arrest by ACT police. According to Lynch, one of the officers allegedly position his hands around Hazell’s neck and forced him to the ground, shouting at him to stop resisting even though he wasn’t. The incident was reportedly captured on the body-worn cameras of the ACT police officers present, with one officer audibly noting the camera was recording before stepping away while Hazell could be heard screaming.
Allegations of ‘Extra-Curial Punishment’
Lynch argued that the actions of the AFP officers constituted “extra-curial punishment” – punishment inflicted outside of the formal sentencing process – and were unnecessary given that Hazell was already under control. He emphasized that his client offered no resistance to the initial arrest and posed no threat. “Police are in control of his arrest, and he gives no physical or verbal indication of an intention to flee, be uncooperative or threatening,” Lynch stated, according to reporting from Region.com.au.
The Crown prosecutor, Tamzin Lee, acknowledged in court submissions that Hazell was a victim of unlawful force by the AFP officers. She stated that the conduct was unacceptable and had been referred to the AFP’s professional standards unit for investigation. While Lee conceded that the extra-curial punishment should be considered during sentencing, she likewise argued that it should not significantly reduce the penalty given the severity of Hazell’s initial offenses.
AFP Investigation and Released Footage
The AFP confirmed that its professional standards unit launched an investigation into the allegations, and their inquiries determined that conduct was in breach of AFP’s professional standards. Acting Justice John Burns ordered the release of a redacted version of the bodycam footage to the media after it was filed with the Supreme Court on Friday, February 20, 2026.
The case has drawn attention to the devastating impact of Hazell’s actions on the victims and their families. In a statement read to the court, the father of one of the injured boys described arriving at the scene to discover “carnage, people everywhere,” and immediately attempting to stem the bleeding of both teenagers. A 15-year-old victim shared in a letter to the court that the crash had stolen his future, severely injuring his fingers and weakening his hands, effectively ending his dreams of playing professional football. He described ongoing pain and anxiety whenever he passed the crash site.
Hazell has remained in custody since his arrest. He pleaded guilty to multiple offenses, including two counts of culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm and stealing a car. The sentencing hearing is expected to conclude late next month.
The release of the redacted bodycam footage is expected to provide further insight into the events following Hazell’s arrest and could fuel further scrutiny of the AFP’s actions. The case underscores the complex interplay between accountability for criminal acts and the proper conduct of law enforcement.
The next step in this case is the completion of the sentencing hearing for Tayler Hazell, where the court will weigh the severity of his crimes against the mitigating factor of the alleged police misconduct. A sentencing date has not yet been announced.
If you or someone you grasp is struggling with the aftermath of a traumatic event, resources are available. You can reach out to Lifeline at 13 11 14 or visit their website at https://www.lifeline.org.au/.
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