David Anthony Smith’s Ipswich courtroom tantrum over public nuisance charges

An Ipswich man ranted to a stunned courtroom about his “bullsh-t” charges, making bizarre claims his alleged victim and the “f--king sl-t” witness should be locked up.

David Anthony Smith leaving Ipswich Courthouse on April 12, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

An Ipswich man charged with public nuisance protested against his “bullsh-t” charges to a magistrate, claiming that “courtroom sucks” and that police were “maggots” who were setting him up.

The Ipswich resident David Anthony Smith, 48, currently stands charged with two counts of committing public nuisance, using a carriage service to make a threat to cause serious harm, going armed so as to cause fear, and obstructing police.

Mr Smith aired his grievances with the legal system to a stunned courtroom this morning after his lawyer withdrew from the matter.

Magistrate David Shepherd had adjourned his matter for another mention on May 3, when Mr Smith interrupted saying “your honour my bail conditions are not to have any contact with the alleged victim”.

“I live in a court. There’s only one way in or out and [the alleged victim] has been sitting out in my street – I can’t go home.”

“I need that no contact bulls--t done so I can at least walk past … [the alleged victim] and that d--khead witness.”

Mr Shepherd asked Mr Smith to address him in “a bit more civilised manner.”

Mr Smith raised his voice, saying “they’ve locked me up for six weeks, bullsh-t charges – has [the alleged victim] been charged? No. Has the f--king sl-t that made a witness statement been charged? No! But I’m locked up for no reason.”

Mr Shepherd told him to settle down, and Mr Smith asked “why should I?”

“Because you’re in a courtroom,” Mr Shepherd responded.

Mr Smith shouted “Courtroom sucks! What, show respect?”

David Anthony Smith leaving Ipswich Courthouse on April 12, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Mr Shepherd asked “would you rather go back to where you were” and Mr Smith asked if he was trying to intimidate him.

“You’ve been coming after me since I’ve been out there,” he said.

Mr Shepherd replied “I haven’t had anything to do with that. This courtroom is an independent adjudicator.”

“Being locked up is a very difficult thing. I appreciate that entirely, but getting angry about all of this here in this location in this environment isn’t going to achieve one little thing.”

He asked if Mr Smith had made complaints about the charges.

Mr Smith gestured at the police prosecutor, asking “complaint to these maggots? They’re the ones setting me up.”

As Mr Smith appeared increasingly aggravated, two security guards were called to the courtroom to be on standby.

Mr Shepherd explained to Mr Smith that it was up to the police to charge someone if they believed there was sufficient evidence.

“It’s got nothing to do with the court … If [the police] haven’t done something then there are means and ways that you can make a complaint,” he said.

“There’s no point getting angry Mr Smith, it’s not going to achieve anything.”

“This is a process, it’s going to take a little bit of time to sort out. There will be some inconvenience and difficulties, but it is a process that has to be followed through – in fairness to everybody including yourself.”

Mr Shepherd chose not to change Mr Smith’s bail conditions and ordered he be required to appear in person at his May 3 mention.

He instructed the security guards that Mr Smith would be allowed to leave without their accompaniment.