Ethan Cameron Wynters: Nimbin arborist in Lismore court for knife custody, public disturbance

A Nimbin arborist who threatened to use a machete on police has asked the court to return the knife.

Ethan Cameron Wynters faced Lismore Court on Monday. Picture: Facebook

A Nimbin arborist who threatened to use a machete on police has asked the court to return the knife.

Ethan Cameron Wynters appeared self-represented in Lismore Local Court on Monday, pleading guilty to two counts of possessing a knife in a public place, possessing a prohibited drug and using offensive language in a public place.

The court heard Wynters had been drinking when he became distraught in public, and a woman came to help calm him down.

But when she called police to assist Wynters, he became verbally aggressive, using offensive language and yelling at them.

According to Magistrate Jeff Linden, police then searched Wynters and came upon a small quantity of cannabis, a hunting knife and a large machete.

When they asked what the knives were for, Wynters responded “to protect myself from people like you.”

In court, Wynters was apologetic, stating “life’s changed a lot” since his arrest and that he’s recently completed a sobriety and merit program.

He said at the time of the offence he was dealing with a break up, and while he didn’t deny the threats, he said he was having a “black out” during his verbal assault.

“I don’t remember that, but I read that on my fact sheet,” he said.

“I was aggressive towards police, it was very uncalled for.”

Wynters said the knives were tools for his trade and asked if they could be returned to him following sentencing.

“(The knives) were wrapped up in cloth, it’s not like I was carrying a knife in my pocket,” he said.

The police prosecutor said the items should be forfeited due to their involvement in the altercation.

“They were used in the commission of the offences,” he said.

Magistrate Linden commended Wynters on his commitment to get clean during sentencing but still ordered the items be forfeited.

He didn’t convict Wynters but sentenced him to a 12-month Conditional Release Order.