Big court win for Sydney dog walker accused of intimidation

A Sydney man accused of verbally abusing people in a park has enjoyed a major victory in court.

A Sydney dog walker has been cleared of wrongdoing after he was accused of intimidating two locals and resisting arrest at a dog park in Sydney’s wealthy eastern suburbs.

Dimitri Gabriel, 60, appeared in Sydney Downing Centre Court on Monday after being charged with resisting arrest and intimidating a man with the intention of causing him fear of physical or mental harm.

Police alleged he was walking his dogs at the dog park in Queens Park around 2pm on January 28 when he verbally abused two people.

Dog walker Dimitri Gabriel had the charges against him withdrawn after he was charged with intimidation at a Sydney dog park. Picture: Supplied

Police had alleged that the Bellevue Hill resident became argumentative and aggressive when they approached him.

Chaotic footage of Mr Gabriel’s arrest shows him surrounded by police in a tense standoff as he shouts at the person filming to “p*** off”.

Five officers are shown tackling the dog walker to the ground and holding him there as they arrest him. As they pull him up to stand, he shouts that the dogs need to be put on their leashes.

“The dogs are going to go on the road. I’m not resisting, I just want the dogs to be secure,” Mr Gabriel can be heard shouting in the video.

“Just wait for the dogs to be tied up, please.”

Mr Gabriel was accused of verbally abusing passers-by in Sydney’s Queens Park. Picture: Supplied

The heated arrest came after Waverley councillors called for more park rangers last year after the “abusive behaviour of a regular dog walker”.

On Monday, the dog walker had a big win when both charges were thrown out of court.

The court heard the charges of intimidation and resisting an officer in the execution of their duty were withdrawn and dismissed.

Originally published as Big court win for Sydney dog walker accused of intimidation