Defendant explodes in violent rage over court verdict

Not even handcuffs could contain the frenzied outburst, as he frantically tried to break out of the Warwick court dock.

IN COURT: The Goondiwindi man was denied bail in Warwick court, sending him into a violent frenzy. Picture: gbrundi / iStock

A Southern Downs man has exploded into a violent rage in court, throwing himself against the glass dock an destroying property until he was forcibly removed by police.

Craig Lewin Sharpley appeared in Warwick Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon to make an application for bail.

The 26-year-old faces 10 charges including assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault, attempted assault, enter dwelling with intent, threatening violence and wilful damage.

Defence lawyer Peter Sloane argued for the Goondiwindi man to be released on bail so he could return to work, but the application was opposed by police prosecutor Steve de Lissa.

Magistrate Julian Noud eventually refused Mr Sharpley's bail based on the nature of the alleged offences and previous breaches of bail in his criminal history.

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The undesired verdict sent Mr Sharpley into a violent frenzy, aggressively kicking and punching the glass dock before tearing the microphones from their outlet and beating them against the glass repeatedly.

The police escort quickly handcuffed the man but it wasn't enough to contain him, with Mr Sharpley going on to headbutt the glass several times until he was forced into a headlock.

It was at this point Mr Noud hastily adjourned the court and left the room, while Sergeant de Lissa and his fellow police officer led the enraged man back to the watch-house.

Mr Sharpley is expected to be charged over the incident.

His matter will next be mentioned in Goondiwindi Magistrates Court on April 13.

He will be remanded in custody until that date.

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