Man accused of slashing Fringe Festival’s popular Inflatable Church venue granted bail

The man who allegedly brought a popular Fringe venue crashing down around patrons has been granted bail – but only because the festival is over.

Kosta Tyhalas is accused of deflating the Fringe’s popular Inflatable Church by slashing it with a knife. Picture: Instagram

The man accused of deflating the Fringe’s popular Inflatable Church by slashing it with a knife has won bail – but only because the festival is over for the year.

Kosta Tyhalas, 20, of Adelaide, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday charged with damaging property.

The man, 20, of Adelaide, was arrested on Friday night and charged with property damage and possessing a knife in a public place.

SA Police allege he was the person who slashed at popular Fringe venue the Inflatable Church, causing it to deflate while hosting a large wedding ceremony.

The Inflatable Church, deflated after a knife attack. Picture: Filip Odzak

The damage done to the immersive performance’s venue. Picture: Filip Odzak

They will further allege the immersive performance’s DJ, Filip Odzak, pursued the man, eventually causing him to drop his knife.

Mr Ozak later told The Advertiser he saw a person vandalising the event’s air conditioner and fencing 20 minutes before the alleged slashing.

The Inflatable Church in full swing during happier times. Picture: Russell Millard

In court on Monday, a police prosecutor said they did not object to Tyhalas being released on supervised bail, so long as he was banned from consuming drugs and alcohol.

“The reason he was refused police bail was because of concerns about the proximity of his residence to the venue … he lives on Light Square,” he said.

“Given that the event is no longer in place since yesterday, we are no longer opposed.”

Mr Tyhalas, who appeared by video link, objected to the drugs and alcohol ban, saying: “Can’t I just leave the country?”

Told by the court he could not, but that he would be bailed, he replied: “I don’t care.”

Mr Tyhalas was remanded on $500 bail to face court again in April.