BY JARROD MELMETH

A man has been charged for allegedly assaulting police and escaping police custody in the Hunter.

Police say just after 9am on Thursday, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended a home in Raymond Terrace to execute a Firearms Prohibition Order.

During a search of the home on Richardson Road, police seized firearms and drugs before arresting a 45-year-old man at the home.

The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station before he was transferred to the John Hunter Hospital for observation.

When the man was being discharged from hospital around 12:45am on Friday morning he allegedly punched a female constable in the face and ran into nearby bushland.

Police were unable to locate the man until around 4:30am on Friday morning where they found the man attempting to hitchhike on Industrial Highway at Mayfield.

The man ran from police but was arrested a short time later with assistance from the Dog Unit, before being taken to the Calvary Mater Hospital for treatment of a dog bite.

Upon release, he was then charged with three counts of possess unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm, two counts of possess prohibited drug, resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, escape police custody, destroy or damage property, enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, resist officer in execution of duty and not keep firearm safely.

He was refused bail to appear before Raymond Terrance Local Court on Monday 13 September 2021.