Mackay teacher Sean Thomas Brandon pleads not guilty to serious assault police

A teacher accused of seriously assaulting police after anti-vax mandate protesters stormed a shopping centre is banned from joining any Covid-19 related rally or march while on bail.

A Mackay teacher accused of serious assault police after a group of anti-vax mandate protesters stormed Caneland Central is banned from joining any Covid-19 related protest, rally or march while on bail.

Sean Thomas Brandon has pleaded not guilty to three charges levelled against him following the January 22 incident.

It is alleged the 59 year old, from Slade Point, was among a number of people who marched along River St from Bluewater Quay to Caneland Central when a peaceful protest turned violent.

As a result Mr Brandon was charged with serious assault police against a male officer, obstruct police against a female officer and being a public nuisance at the Matsuura Dr shopping centre.

Mackay police arrested three men including Mackay teacher Sean Thomas Brandon after an anti vaccination mandate rally at Caneland Central allegedly turned violent.

His case was mentioned in Mackay Magistrates Court on Friday where it was initially set down for an application to vary his bail.

The conditions he must comply with include not being a part of any lawful or unlawful protest activity, not approach within 100 metres of any lawful or unlawful protest, march or rally related to Covid-19 and not go to the Bluewater Quay.

Mr Brandon had initially applied to vary his bail in relation to these conditions preventing him from being involved in Covid-related protest activities and going to the Bluewater Quay.

But when the case was mentioned before Magistrate James Morton, Mr Brandon’s barrister Joshua Morris, instructed by McKays Solicitors, withdrew the application and said his client would enter pleas to all charges.

Mr Brandon, who complied with current Covid mandates wearing a mask inside the courtroom, pleaded not guilty to seriously assaulting police, obstructing police and being a public nuisance.

The matters will be dealt with in the magistrates court jurisdiction. A brief of evidence was ordered for early April and the case will be mentioned again later this month.