Protester charged with filming assault on TV journalist to stay behind bars
A Covid-denier who allegedly assaulted a TV journalist during the anti-lockdown protest will remain behind bars.
NSW
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A Covid-denier who allegedly assaulted a TV journalist during the weekend’s wild anti-lockdown protest will remain behind bars, with a magistrate labelling him a “danger to the public”.
Guerino “Reno” Scevola filmed himself confronting 7 News reporter Robert Ovadia in a Broadway park during the rally on Saturday, before allegedly assaulting him and stealing his mobile phone.
But the 54-year-old‘s decision to upload video of the confrontation to Facebook proved foolish when it led police to the door of his home at Petersham on Monday night.
Despite claiming online he was protesting against the lies of the “mainstream media”, a handcuffed Scevola changed his tune when facing Newtown Local Court on Tuesday.
Represented by his lawyer brother Salvatore Scevola, the court heard that Guerino had joined — in the protest because he was “depressed by the lockdown” – a claim that Magistrate Jennifer Giles refused to accept.
In applying for his brother’s bail, Mr Scevola claimed that despite his involvement in the weekend’s protest and a criminal history that includes periods in prison, he was not a “risk”.
“I submit that the accused (Guerino) does not present a risk to society at large,” Mr Scevola said.
“I have explained to him that he is in a lot of trouble as a result of him participating in that unauthorised rally.
“He was depressed and traumatised by the conditions of the Covid lockdown.”
That claim led to a quick response from Magistrate Giles, who told Guerino: “Join the club”.
The shocking video of Guerino’s alleged attack on Mr Ovadia has been widely circulated online and shows the protester approaching him and asking if he is with the media.
When Mr Ovadia tells him he works for Channel 7, Guerino tells him repeatedly to “f. k off” and calls over other protesters who join in abusing the journalist.
At one point Guerino tells another protester: “Don’t throw the bottle at him, you’ll get yourself locked up.”
As more and more protesters in the vicinity gather around, tensions escalate and Mr Ovadia’s iPhone 11 can be seen being knocked out of his hand, before a man picks it up and a male voice can be heard saying: “Take his phone, got it … good on you brother”.
Mr Scevola told the court that on reading the facts there was no evidence his brother had “assaulted” Mr Ovadia.
Mr Scevola said if granted bail his brother would not go to any more protests, which are understood to be planned for next weekend, but that did not persuade Magistrate Giles to grant him bail.
“It has been put to me that he was depressed by lockdown, well … we’re all depressed by lockdown,” she said.
“He has answered his depression by joining these other ratbags.
“When you read those facts about what he says, what he says is breathtaking, what he does is shameful. It is appalling behaviour, inciting violence and crime
“He is an uncontainable danger to the public, so I am against you on the application for conditional release.”
When NSW Police officers arrived at Guerino’s home on Monday night they allegedly found him in possession of 230g of cannabis.
Guerino was remanded in custody and will reappear in Newtown Local Court on Tuesday, August 17.
Originally published as Protester charged with filming assault on TV journalist to stay behind bars
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