Magistrate and lawyer disagree over men’s onerous bail conditions

A magistrate and lawyer have gone head to head in court after two men were prevented from having a drink as part of their bail conditions

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A TOWNSVILLE lawyer has told a magistrate that a condition preventing his clients from consuming alcohol was “onerous and extraordinary” during a disagreement at the bar table on Thursday.

Anderson Telford represented two men in the Townsville Magistrates Court on April 29 charged with seriously assaulting a police officer causing bodily harm.

Mr Telford said bail conditions that were put in place at the two men’s first appearances preventing them from consuming alcohol were “onerous and unnecessary”.

Anderson Telford leaves the Townsville Magistrates Court (file).

Mr Telford interjected when Magistrate Steven Mosch disagreed and said “it’s not hard” to not consume alcohol.

“It wouldn’t affect me Mr Telford,” Mr Mosch said.

Police prosecutor Kassandra Hall said alcohol was involved in the alleged offending and the bail conditions were “put in place for a reason” and should “still remain present”.

Ryan Peter Bennett, 26, appeared charged with two offences: serious assault person over 60 and serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm.

Daniel Johannes Odendall, 25, appeared charged with three offences, serious assault occasioning bodily harm, serious assault person over 60 and serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm.

Mr Mosch removed the conditions from Bennett’s and Odendall’s bail undertaking and adjourned the matters to May 27.

Originally published as Magistrate and lawyer disagree over men’s onerous bail conditions