Sydney siege sniper suing New South Wales police, claims psychological trauma

The chief sniper is claiming psychological trauma after the events of December 15, 2014.
The chief sniper is claiming psychological trauma after the events of December 15, 2014. Photo credit: AAP.

The chief sniper during the Sydney Lindt cafe siege is suing New South Wales police, saying he's suffering from psychological trauma.

The officer, who can only be identified as Sierra 3-1, is alleging he and his fellow officers were prevented from doing their jobs properly in the siege.

The siege took place on December 15, 2014, when Iranian-born refugee Man Haron Monis held 10 customers and eight employees of the cafe hostage for a total of 16 hours.

Sierra 3-1 also alleges the deaths of two hostages during the siege, Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson, could have been prevented.

Johnson was killed by Monis, and Dawson was killed after being struck by fragments of police bullets when they raided the cafe.

Monis was killed by police officers when the team stormed the cafe.

Sierra 3-1 claims in a 30-page affidavit that he has suffered from psychological trauma due to decisions made by his superiors during the siege.

He has previously made a complaint to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commissioner that claimed senior officers perjured themselves at the initial inquest. The complaint was dismissed.

The civil action will be heard next year in a New South Wales District Court, during a one-day hearing.

Newshub.