Daniel James Nicholson jailed for jumping dock of Christies Beach Magistrates Court and injuring two sheriff’s officers

A man has been jailed for his ‘inexcusable outburst’ when he jumped a suburban court dock and injured two sheriff’s officers.

A defendant who leapt over a court dock in a bid to escape after his bail was revoked has been jailed for his angry, violent and “inexcusable outburst” which injured two sheriff’s officers.

Daniel James Nicholson’s attempt to flee from custody in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court last September was caught on CCTV.

The vision shows the O’Sullivan Beach father-of-four becoming agitated as he learns Magistrate Susan O’Connor will revoke his bail, before attempting to leap over the glass surrounding the dock.

At first he fails, but during a second attempt he breaks free from the two sheriff’s officers attempting to stop him and lands “forcefully” on the bar table of court four.

Police prosecutor Brendan Gottschutzke tackles him to the ground but Nicholson, 35, again breaks free and heads for the door. One of the sheriff’s officers then grabs him from behind and they fall to the ground, where Nicholson – who continues resisting – is eventually restrained.

Daniel James Nicholson jump the dock in courtroom 4 at the Christies Beach Magistrates Court before he is restrained by a police prosecutor and sheriff’s officers.

Nicholson appeared in the District Court on Thursday, where Judge Liesl Chapman told him his “angry and violent” behaviour was inexcusable and questioned the example he was setting for his children.

“A clear message must be sent to people who appear in our courts that such a breach of court security will be met with a significant penalty,” she said.

“Sheriff’s officers are an important part of the integrity of our system. I understand that you were upset about being remanded in custody; that your behaviour was impulsive and you did not intend to harm anybody.

“However, there are many court hearings where emotions run high and such an angry and violent outburst is inexcusable. The court was in session and you recklessly caused harm to two sheriff’s officers who were forced to deal with your behaviour for the safety of everyone else.”

Daniel James Nicholson lands on the bar table of courtroom 4 before he is restrained by a police prosecutor and sheriff’s officers.

One of the sheriff’s officers suffered a broken foot during the incident, requiring a moon boot for six weeks. The other suffered a clicking jaw and headaches.

Judge Chapman admonished Nicholson, who was under the influence of methylamphetamine on the day of the hearing, which he had attended with his son.

“The fact that you were under the influence of methylamphetamine at the time reflects very poorly on you,” she said.

“Who knows what type of example you thought you were setting for your son.”

Daniel James Nicholson was taken into custody after jumping the dock at Christies Beach Magistrates Court. Picture: Courts SA

Nicholson had told police he “freaked out” on the day. He pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to escape custody and two counts of recklessly causing harm to a prescribed emergency services worker.

Judge Chapman said Nicholson had a longstanding drug problem and anger management issues and had done little to rehabilitate while in prison. She said he had been convicted of a string of prior violence offences, which had escalated and included threatening police with a syringe in 2018.

He was jailed for a year and nine months in the District Court on Thursday, with a non-parole period of 12 months.