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An experienced photographer who accused Taylor Swift’s dad of punching him in the face during her recent Australian tour has expressed bitter disappointment that no further action will be taken by police.
The pop star had just performed her last Aussie show of The Eras Tour in Sydney when the alleged incident with photographer Ben McDonald, 51, occurred in the early hours of February 27.
Swift and her father, Scott Swift, 71, had travelled from suburban Homebush on a luxury yacht to the ferry wharf in Neutral Bay in the city’s north when Scott was accused of hitting McDonald, who was awaiting an opportunity to photograph them.
NSW Police launched an investigation into the incident and spent four weeks obtaining statements from witnesses and reviewing video and CCTV footage.
The investigation was finalised on Tuesday with no charges laid or any further action against Mr Swift.
Mr McDonald – the chief executive of Matrix Media Group – has since expressed his disappointment in the police decision. The photographer also claimed that he has been inundated with threats and abuse from Swift’s fans via email and phone.
Taylor Swift and her father, Scott Swift, 71, had travelled from Homebush on a luxury yacht to the ferry wharf in Neutral Bay where Scott was then accused of punching photographer Ben McDonald, 51, in the face
Mr McDonald also publicly shared the email sent to him by police on Tuesday.
‘The evidence offered by Scott SWIFT and other witnesses raised self defence of another as defence (lawful excuse) to the offence of common assault, thus putting an onus on the prosecution to disprove this,’ the email from police stated.
‘On review of the evidence and legal advice, this cannot be disproved by the prosecution.’
Mr McDonald claimed he was told by detectives that they obtained statements from four members of Swift’s international security team who were present at the time as well as information from Mr Swift via his legal counsel.
He also claimed he was advised there were no licensed Australian security personnel present at the time.
Mr McDonald has requested his lawyer to review the findings, particularly the use of ‘self defence as defence to the offence of common assault’.
‘It is hard to imagine that Mr Swift had such little confidence in the skills and expertise of Taylors highly trained Close Personal Protection team, many of whom are former military (special forces) that he felt he had to personally come to his daughters ‘defence’ and directly punch me in the face,’ he claimed in a statement.
‘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.’
Taylor Swift was returning to her hotel with her entourage when the alleged incident between her dad and a paparazzi photographer unfolded
Matrix Media photographer Ben McDonald (pictured) says he’s disappointed in the police investigation findings
Mr McDonald claimed he has had no contact from Scott Swift either directly or via a representative.
‘I am not surprised by this and I doubt that an apology would ever be forthcoming,’ he said.
Mr McDonald also fired back at Swifties who he said he barraged him with threats and abuse.
‘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,’ he said.
‘That said, by and large I believe Police are hardworking and I thank them for their time irrespective of the result.’
The alleged incident occurred after Swift’s final show in Australia for The Eras Tour
