Lismore man Leslie Exton who allegedly jumped into river to evade police pleads not guilty

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 robbery and reckless wounding:

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 allegedly avoid arrest has pleaded not guilty to all charges as his matters proceed in two separate hearings.

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

The court heard from his solicitor Philip Crick that Mr Exton intended to plead not guilty to all three charges.

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 on Monday heard these charges would proceed to a hearing.

It comes as other charges, related to his alleged getaway, were previously adjourned for a separate hearing date in late June.

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.

He has also pleaded not guilty for those charges and will front a Lismore Local Court hearing for those matters on August 27.

Given that, Monday’s matter were adjourned for a separate hearing on August 17 at Lismore Local Court.

Magistrate Jeff Linden ordered that Mr Exton be available in person for that date.