Attempted murder charge for man who stabbed cop December 15, 2013 - 5:06PM A Townsville man has been charged with the attempted murder of a police officer. A 33 year old senior constable was stabbed in the neck while on patrol at a pub in Flinders Street early Saturday morning. Another officer sustained a hand injury during the incident, which was allegedly unprovoked. The senior constable underwent surgery on Saturday but was discharged from hospital on Sunday and is resting at home. A 28 year old man will face Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday on six charges including attempted murder, serious assault of police whilst armed and obstruction. Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said it highlighted the dangers police officers face on the job. "In fact the knife went millimetres from a main artery which would've ensured instant death," he said. Also on Sunday morning, a Brisbane police officer had to have five stitches in his face after allegedly being headbutted by a prisoner at the city watchhouse. A 32 year old Browns Plains man will face court on January 13 charged with assault occasioning bodily harm. Premier Campbell Newman reminded Queenslanders that the government had delivered tougher penalties for assaults on police, including doubling the maximum jail time from 7 to 14 years for a serious assault. There are very significant penalties there, and I just say that I'm sure that all Queenslanders would want that to be the case.