Police charge man, 25, over serious assault on former politician Barry Urban, leaving him fighting for life

A 25-year-old man has been charged after allegedly seriously assaulting former politician Barry Urban at his workplace, leaving him fighting for life in hospital with severe head injuries. Police say the Seville Grove man drove to Mr Urban’s tyre business on Gillam Drive, Kelmscott, about 7.55am on Monday, before allegedly punching the 55-year-old after getting into a heated argument. The blow knocked the former Labor MP unconscious. Mr Urban suffered serious head injuries and was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital for emergency surgery. As the man was leaving the site, police allege he drove towards a 19-year-old man who had come to help Mr Urban, forcing the teen to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by the car. The 25-year-old will face Armadale Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, common assault, no authority to drive and reckless driving. On Wednesday morning, a RPH spokesperson confirmed Mr Urban was still in intensive care in a critical condition. Mr Urban — who was forced to quit politics amid a fake medal scandal in 2018 — was jailed for three years in 2021 after pleading guilty to forging records and lying to State Parliament. The former politician was released from prison last year and has pursued a fresh start at a tyre business in Kelmscott.