Men face WA court over policeman bashing

Two men accused of bashing an off-duty policeman during a crime spree, causing multiple facial fractures and a broken nose, have appeared briefly in a Perth court.

The 38-year-old senior constable was trying to catch three people on Sunday night after they had allegedly broken into a Roleystone bakery, smashed a glass panel at the front door of a bank, and threw rocks and assaulted a fuel tanker driver at a service station.

The window of the truck was smashed and the driver had to lock himself in the tanker cabin for safety, then the trio tried to break into the service station by smashing the front door, police said.

Tyrone Marcus Lee Collard and Warren James Punch have been charged with offences including assault occasioning bodily harm, act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, stealing and criminal damage.

They appeared in Armadale Magistrates Court on Tuesday and were remanded in custody to appear on June 20.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named, has also been charged.

WA Police Union president George Tilbury said the policeman was unrecognisable after the attack and could have died.

He will undergo major reconstructive surgery on Wednesday, including getting metal plates inserted into his face, will require braces for his teeth, be on a liquid diet for six weeks and out of work for months.