A New South Wales judge has ruled that police acted reasonably and necessarily when they shot Aaron Barrie Searle during a violent confrontation in Mayfield, Newcastle. The court heard Searle, who was affected by mental health issues and butane inhalation, aggressively approached officers while wielding a bladed tactical shovel and attempting to stab one officer. Judge Tim Gartelmann found the officers had little choice but to use lethal force to defend themselves. Searle previously had an attempted murder charge dropped and pleaded guilty to several assault offences linked to the incident.