The man hailed as a hero for subduing a gunman at Bondi Beach last month has been charged with assault, sparking outrage and raising questions about the treatment of ordinary people in the justice system. Jim Long, a 45-year-old father of two and a local carpenter, was arrested on Monday after a woman accused him of grabbing her arm during a heated argument outside a fish and chip shop. Long insists he was intervening to protect a teenager who was being verbally abused.
The charges come just weeks after Long received a community bravery award for his role in tackling a masked gunman who opened fire on the beach, injuring three people before Long and other bystanders restrained him until police arrived. The contrast has left the local community stunned.
“He saved lives that day. Now he’s being treated like a criminal because he tried to stop a grown man screaming at a kid,” said Sarah Bleasdale, owner of a nearby café and friend of Long. “It’s disgusting.”
Long appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, charged with common assault. He did not enter a plea and was granted bail. Outside court, he told reporters: “I’d do the same thing again. That boy was terrified. I just wanted to make sure he got home safe. Now I’m worried about my family.”
Police allege that Long grabbed the woman’s arm so hard it left bruising. Long says he merely placed a hand on her shoulder to get her attention. No charges have been filed against the man who was allegedly yelling at the teenager.
The case has ignited debate about the legal system’s approach to citizen intervention. “We have a situation where a man who risked his life for the public is now facing a criminal record for what seems to be a minor scuffle,” said Dr. Helen Tran, a legal analyst at the University of New South Wales. “It raises uncomfortable questions: can we expect ordinary people to step up if they fear being prosecuted for doing so?”
Local MP David Riley called for the charges to be dropped. “This is a waste of court resources and an insult to the community,” he said in a statement. “I urge the police to reconsider.”
A petition seeking to drop the charges has gathered over 20,000 signatures in 24 hours. Many signatories referenced Long’s heroism at Bondi Beach. “He’s a good man who got caught up in a bad situation,” one wrote. “If we punish people like him, we’ll all be worse off.”
The police force has declined to comment on the specifics, citing the ongoing case, but stated: “All complaints of assault are investigated thoroughly and independently of any past actions by the alleged offender.”
For Long, the ordeal has been a cruel reversal of fortune. After the beach incident, he was celebrated at a town hall event and received a bravery award from the local council. Now, he faces the possibility of a criminal record that could affect his work and reputation.
“I’m not a hero,” he said quietly. “I’m just a bloke who did what felt right. Twice. And now I’m paying for it.”
The case is adjourned until next month.
