Ibrahim Bangura pleads guilty to biting cop, not wearing mask on train

A man who was dragged off a train at Woy Woy for not wearing a mask after resisting arrest and biting an officer, has pleaded guilty. Read the full story here.

A man from Chester Hill in Sydney’s south west faced Gosford Local Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to three offences.

Ibrahim Bangura, 43, pleaded guilty to resisting arrest, assaulting police and failing to appear at court during an earlier appearance when he fronted Gosford Local Court on Thursday.

Bangura was sweating so profusely the police prosecutor offered him a box of tissues as he represented himself, pleading guilty to the three offences.

Bangura told the court his wife had recently died and he wanted to go home to Africa because “Australia is taking advantage of me”.

Ibrahim Bangura (right), 43, of Chester Hill, leaving Gosford Local Court with a solicitor after his first appearance in January. Picture: Richard Noone

He said he was also willing to pay a $200 fine for failing to wear a mask on public transport.

Magistrate Scott Nash said Bangura had no prior criminal record and his offending was “impulsive in its nature”.

However Magistrate Nash said “biting is a serious offence” before ordering a full pre-sentence report and adjourning the matter to Bankstown Local Court on September 16.

An agreed set of facts states after his arrest, Bangura told police he moved to Australia 14 years ago and spoke “perfect English”.

The facts state Bangura was assessed by a Police Ambulance and Clinical Early Response (PACER) clinician who formed the belief he “may have delusional paranoia relating to Covid-19”.

Bangura leaving Gosford Local Court after representing himself and pleading guilty to biting a police officer and failing to wear a mask. Picture: NewsLocal

About 3.10pm on Saturday, January 16, Bangura was travelling on the lower deck of a south bound train between Gosford and Woy Woy when he was observed by a police officer without a mask.

The officer asked if Bangura had a mask, could he put it on.

“The accused has become aggressive and started shouting at police he will not wear a mask,” the facts state.

Another officer arrived and tried to explain the public health orders, however Bangura repeatedly yelled “take me to court”.

Police asked if he had an exemption but he said he didn’t.

Bangura was carried off a southbound train at Woy Woy Train Station. (File image)

“The accused was continually aggressive towards police and refused to provide any details. The accused repeatedly yelled `take me to court’ and `I’m willing to sacrifice my life’,” the facts state.

“The accused has refused to move or co-operate with police.”

As police tried to take hold of him, Bangura “stood up and swung numerous punches towards police” taking up a “boxing stance”.

Police warned him to comply or he would be sprayed with OC spray, to which Bangura replied “spray, spray”.

“The accused has lunged towards (one officer) punching him one to the side of his body,” the facts state.

Police grabbed Bangura and wrestled him to the ground.

Bangura leaving Gosford Local Court at an earlier appearance. Picture: Richard Noone

“During this wrestle the accused has twice bitten (one officer) causing immediate pain,” the facts state.

“The first bite was on the upper left torso under (the officer’s) arm causing lacerations and red bruising. The second bite was to the right index finger not causing any injury.”

The officer had to be taken to hospital for treatment and blood tests.

When police finally managed to get handcuffs on him, Bangura went “limp” so police had to physically carry him off the train at Woy Woy.

A NSW Government spokesman said under current public health orders defendants were allowed to travel outside their Local Government Areas to attend court.

It comes as the government declared Chester Hill among the new “ground zero” hot spots for community transmission in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA.

There is no suggestion Bangura, or any of his close contacts, has Covid.