Bra Boy Jai Abberton hands himself into police

Bra Boys surf gang founder Jai Abberton said he had “turned his life around” for the good of his child, just a day after handing himself into police on New Year’s Eve over an alleged bail breach.

Bra Boys surf gang founder Jai Abberton said he had “turned his life around” for the good of his child, just a day after handing himself into police on New Year’s Eve over an alleged bail breach.

Abberton was charged over a violent home invasion in South Coogee in 2017 but has been out on bail awaiting trial since August.

Jai Abberton leaves Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney over a different incident in 2008.

The 45-year-old, who shot to stardom along with brothers Koby, Sunny and Dakota when Russell Crowe narrated a documentary on their lives in 2007, allegedly failed to report to Kogarah Police Station for bail on December 29.

Abberton handed himself into police on New Year’s Eve and appeared in Parramatta Bail Court today, where prosecutors opposed his release saying it was the second time he had breached bail.

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But Abberton’s Legal Aid solicitor Jill Kiely told the court her client wanted to get arrested in an attempt to appear before a magistrate and have his reporting conditions altered.

The court heard Abberton was recently hospitalised with mental health issues and had been trying to move to the Central Coast to live with his aunt since his release.

Ms Kiely said shutdowns in parts of the court system over Christmas meant Abberton was unable to change his conditions and report for bail on the Central Coast.

Jai Abberton, left, with brothers Koby and Sunny in 2006.

“He ascertained the only way to get his bail varied was to get himself arrested,” Ms Kiely said.

“He is a man who has some mental health conditions which he’s been trying to get under control.”

Appearing on screen from police cells in Surry Hills, Abberton thanked a court registrar as she approved his bail.

“Thank you your honour, you’re not going to see me in the courts again for this,” Abberton said. “I’ve had a child and turned my life around … I don’t want to come before the courts again.”

Abberton and two other men allegedly broke into the South Coogee flat and threatened Paul Winters in December 2017 — one of the men had a metal pole and meat cleaver was found in the kitchen.

He was charged in February with robbery while armed with offensive weapon cause wounding or grievous bodily harm, specially aggravated enter dwelling with intent to wound, and resist or hinder police officer in execution of duty.