Zane Saatjian, Liam Foote, Ben Jones front court over Martin Place brawl
A Blue Mountains man jumped on stage at Sydney’s biggest Christmas celebration and started acting the fool before being tackled by police. In court he said the drunken incident had brought shame on him.
Central Sydney
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A Wentworth Falls man who went on an all-day drinking binge “thought he was being funny” when he jumped on stage at Sydney’s biggest Christmas celebration.
Zane Saatjian had been boozing the afternoon away on a Harbour cruise before descending on Martin Place.
Shortly after he was kicked out of a nearby store before going on to steal a traffic cone and a traffic control light wand from an official.
His festive jolly-up then descended into chaos when he decided to storm the stage set up for the Christmas event.
Saatjian, who pleaded guilty to larceny, offensive behaviour and resist police, told the Downing Centre Local Court through his lawyer that he “thought he was being funny” when he interrupted dancers entertaining the packed crowd after jumping onto the stage at the event.
“Although he was being an idiot, (the offence) was at the lower end,” his solicitor Shaun Titmarsh said.
“It has brought shame on him, he has an alcohol problem he needs to address.”
His mates, and co-accused, Liam Foote and Ben Jones from Wentworth Falls and Blackheath also appeared in court for the first time today after intervening, allegedly brawling with police and assaulting one officer in front of thousands of shocked tourists.
Video of the incident shows a number of police officers and security officials attempting to restrain the men in front of stunned festive revellers.
Foote has pleaded not guilty to the same charges while Jones had his adjourned to be heard again later this month.
Saatjian, from Wentworth Falls, was fined $500 and given an 18-month conditional release order.
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