Samuel William Ajal appears in court after allegedly damaging pokie machines, assaulting staff at Arkaba Hotel

A NSW man has faced court for the first time after he allegedly smashed up pokie machines and assaulted workers at an eastern suburbs pub, before staff made a citizen’s arrest.

AA Pokies Tirade

A NSW man has been released on home detention bail after he allegedly caused $80,000 in damages at the Arkaba Hotel – accused of smashing three pokie machines and assaulting staff – before workers made a citizens arrest.

Samuel William Ajal, 34, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court for the first time in front of Magistrate David McLeod following his Sunday afternoon arrest. He is yet to enter any pleas to two counts of assault and one count of damage property.

Defence counsel for Mr Ajal, who is originally from Guildford in NSW, told the court their client would live on home detention bail with his partner in Fullarton.

“Your Honour, my client is a resident of NSW normally; however, his partner, mum, brothers and his sisters all reside in South Australia,” they said. “He intends to stay in South Australia for the foreseeable future.”

Staff at the Arkaba Hotel performed a citizens arrest on Mr Ajal. Picture Supplied

Police were called to the establishment about 2pm after reports of a disturbance.

Hotel staff had intervened in the ordeal and were allegedly assaulted in the process, but managed to restrain Mr Ajal until police arrived.

It’s alleged Mr Ajal damaged three gaming machines at the Arkaba Hotel and according to court documents caused over $80,000 in damages – classified as a major indictable offence under section 85(3) of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act.

He was subsequently issued a barring order from the premises.

On Monday, a police prosecutor told the court they weren’t opposed to home detention bail as long as Mr Ajal could provide an address in South Australia.

Magistrate McLeod ordered Mr Ajal to not attend within 10m of the Arkaba Hotel, in Parkside, and granted home detention bail in the amount of $1000.

He will return to court early next year.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.