Police, hostage get compo after WA siege

A hostage and the two police officers who shot a man during a siege in Perth almost three years ago, leaving him a paraplegic, have been awarded a total of almost $57,000 in compensation.

Daniel John Ashley burst into the Mosman Park property in June 2015, armed with weapons including a replica gun and a baton, taking his ex-girlfriend and four other people hostage before police shot him in the torso and face.

Criminal Injuries Compensation chief assessor Helen Porter said the hostage thought he would die and the Tactical Response Group officers, known only as Operator 33 and Operator 2, also thought their lives were at risk.

The hostage, who called triple-zero before Ashley taped his mouth, described the situation as surreal and said Ashley was "saying things that you normally hear in movies".

The man already had anxiety, which was made worse by the siege, and he suffered nightmares.

"The fact the offender was not aware of (the man's) pre-existing condition does not mean he is not liable for any injury suffered ... including any aggravation of a pre-existing condition," Ms Porter said.

She awarded the hostage $21,085 in compensation.

Operator 2 was granted $18,500 and Operator 33 was awarded $17,000 in compensation.

The officers repeatedly told Ashley to drop his weapon and it was the first time both of them had to shoot someone.

Ashley, who wanted to die by police shooting, repeatedly said "thank you" which Operator 33 found very disturbing.

Ms Porter said the officers "suffered mental and nervous shock of sufficient severity to require each to consult a clinical psychologist".

Operator 2's psychological symptoms continued for more than one year after the siege, while operator 33 recovered "reasonably completely" but indicated it had stayed in his mind.

"There were disturbing and distressing aspects he felt he would never forget," Ms Porter said.

"Whilst it is accepted that police officers ... may expect to be confronted with stressful situations in the course of their employment, the law provides if injury is sustained ... by the commission of an offence, compensation is available."

Ashley was previously sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail over the siege.

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