Nine in court over ‘very violent’ Leigh Street brawl
A magistrate said he was concerned the nine accused may be dangerous when they came to court over the “very violent” CBD clash.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Nine men have faced court for the first time following an alleged “very violent” brawl in the CBD.
Dean David Allsopp, Daniel Leigh Flynn, Jack David Innes, Danny Nedza, Emmett James O’Rieilly, Nicholas James Rehmann, Riley Allan Saunders, Dylan James Squire and Jake Scott Thomas are all accused of the affray on Leigh St.
The men all remained outside the Adelaide Magistrates courtroom instead of going into the dock on Thursday after Stacey Carter, for Mr Flynn, told the court the alleged brawl was between two parties.
“I believe some are friends, and some are not,” Ms Carter said.
“That might be dangerous,” magistrate Paul Foley replied.
Ms Carter said her client would be pleading not guilty and asked for it to be adjourned to a pre-trial conference so they could obtain a copy of the CCTV footage.
Police said about 1am on July 23, two groups of men were involved in a violent incident inside a licensed premises on Leigh St before the brawl spilt onto the street.
Police will allege two of the men are members of the Gypsy Joker outlaw motorcycle gang.
All nine men were barred from entering any CBD licensed premises for three months.
The men, aged between 24 and 34 and all from the northern suburbs, are charged with affray, while Mr O’Rielly is also charged with using or possessing a prohibited weapon.
On Thursday, Ms Carter and the rest of the men’s counsel asked to delete the condition that their clients not be allowed in the CBD, having been banned since their arrest in September.
“It’s coming up to the Christmas season, everyone’s got lots of commitments,” Ms Carter said.
Christina Chrisakas, for Mr Alsopp and Mr Rehmann, also asked for the non-contact clause to be deleted between the duo and Mr Flynn as they were friends.
A prosecutor said they were opposed to removing the non-contact clause and asked for more time to consider their position on removing the CBD clause.
“It’s obviously very violent offending and I’d like to keep that clause in place for the protection of all involved,” the prosecutor said.
At the time of the men’s arrest, Head of the Licensing Enforcement Branch Chief Inspector Brett Humphrey said licensed premises “should be a place where people can enjoy a relaxed social setting and feel safe whilst doing so”.
“This type of violent behaviour compromises public safety and will not be tolerated,” he said of the allegations.
Mr Foley adjourned the application until next week.
Tobacco firebomb tip-off sparks assault in escalating war
A tip-off about another potential tobacco store firebombing sparked a violent assault by the man police say controls the illicit trade in South Australia, a court has heard.
Workers tell of ‘chaos and confusion’ during shopping centre knife attack
Retail workers who helped shelter frightened customers as a bloody knife brawl unfolded in a northern suburbs mall say they are not impressed with the centre’s response.