Murwillumbah: Jason Cook granted bail on charges of assault, resisting police, contravening an avo

A Tweed Shire man charged with having a knife in public and assaulting a police officer has applied for bail. Here is what happened in court.

NSW police arrested Cook after a call out to his ex partners address where Cook pleaded guilty to breaching an AVO. Picture: Trevor Veale

A Tweed Shire man with a history of domestic violence is facing fresh charges of having custody of a knife in public and assaulting a police officer.

Jason Cook, from Eungella – near Murwillumbah – appeared before Magistrate Karen Stafford from Tweed Heads police station in Bail Division Court on Wednesday.

He is charged with custody of a knife in a public place, assaulting a police officer, hindering or resisting a police officer, and contravening a prohibition/restriction in an apprehended violence order (AVO).

Cook pleaded not guilty to the first three charges but admitted to breaching the AVO.

During the bail application, the police prosecutor expressed concerns about community safety and highlighting the seriousness of the knife charge.

Cook was granted bail to report to Tweed Heads Police Station three times a week.

“This involves the custody of the knife, which is of particular concern to the NSW public, especially in light of recent legislative changes,” he said.

He emphasised Cook’s criminal history, including imprisonments for domestic violence and other violent offences, as well as previous warrants and noncompliance issues.

Police said they “wanted a chat” with Cook before arresting him and laying charges.

Defence solicitor Paul Paine raised questions about the legality of Cook’s arrest and suggested the case against Cook was weak.

Mr Paine also told the court the alleged knife was a pair of scissors, and Cook would argue a reasonable excuse for possessing them.

He noted that the AVO breach was nonviolent, as Cook was in contact with his ex-partner at her invitation.

Ms Stafford acknowledged Cook’s guilty plea to the AVO breach.

She remarked on the Crown’s strong case regarding the police’s execution of duty, stating: “The accused was not free to leave, despite claiming otherwise.”

However, she indicated that full-time custody was not inevitable if convicted, given the potential for remand periods to exceed any non-parole period.

She granted Cook bail with conditions, including reporting to Tweed Heads police three times a week and complying with the AVO and adjourned the matter to September 15.

“If you’re not at court, you may find yourself subject to a warrant and refused bail next time,” Ms Stafford said.

Originally published as Murwillumbah: Jason Cook granted bail on charges of assault, resisting police, contravening an avo