Lismore man Leslie Exton enters pleas for allegedly assaulting police

The Richmond Police District Rescue Squad had to be called in to help arrest a man who had jumped into the Wilsons River to avoid police. He’s now facing a string of charges including assaulting police.

RIVER ARREST: Police rescue were called to assist with the arrest of man, 33, who tried to evade officers by jumping in the Wilson River, Lismore. File Photo: Alison Paterson

A Lismore man who jumped into the Wilsons River to avoid arrest over an alleged robbery and police assault has denied he assaulted a police officer in the execution of duty, causing actual bodily harm.

Leslie Exton, 33, appeared via custody in Lismore Local Court on Monday, charged with robbery, dishonestly obtaining property by deception, and a separate domestic violence offence of reckless wounding.

He is yet to enter any formal pleas for those charges.

However, on four separate charges relating to his alleged getaway, he has pleaded not guilty.

These include assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty, causing actual bodily harm, escaping police custody, resisting an office in the execution of duty, and assaulting an officer in the execution of duty.

Police will allege during a discussion with Mr Exton in Lismore CBD near the Transit Centre on Molesworth St on April 21, 2021 he ran away and jumped into the Wilsons River.

He then allegedly refused to get out of the river when police asked, forcing the Rescue Squad to be called in to assist.

The court heard those matters would progress to a hearing on August 27 in Lismore Local Court.

The other matters will be heard before Lismore Local Court for further mention on July 5.