Alleged Wakeley church rioter Joseph Nader claims hurled wood wasn’t aimed at anyone

A man has been granted bail after he hurled a plank of wood and allegedly tried to break into a church during the thousands-strong riot in Wakeley, a court has heard.

A man has been granted bail after he hurled a plank of wood and allegedly tried to break into a church during the thousands-strong riot in Wakeley, a court has heard.

Joseph Nader, 28, was arrested and charged with rioting and throwing a missile at police officers at a public disorder event at Granville police station on Saturday after allegedly attending the riot at Christ the Good Shepherd Church, sparked by the stabbing of Assyrian Christian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.

Nader is yet to enter a plea.

On Sunday, Nader’s defence lawyer Osman Samin told Parramatta Local Court his client would admit to throwing the timber during the incident but claimed it was outside the church and was not aimed at anyone.

But the NSW Police prosecutor told the court that despite the wood not hitting anyone, Nader had weaponised the item against police amongst thousands of other rioters and used it to “further his attempt to enter the church”.

“The fact that he didn’t hit anyone is inconsequential,” the prosecutor said.

Nader was arrested on the night of the riot before being released without charge, though he was later identified in CCTV from the incident due to unique clothing and arrested again.

Mr Samin argued that Nader’s actions were a result of a very “unique and sad situation” which involved many rumours spreading including that “the bishop had been murdered”.

The riot began after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanual was attacked at the church in Wakeley.

He claimed that police had also failed to find any items linked to the incident or to indicate he would commit another offence after searching his Granville home, and alleges Nader has no identified links with nine other men charged over their alleged involvement in the riot.

The prosecution contested Nader’s bail due to the “violent and volatile” nature of the event, the seriousness of his behaviour, and the harm they said he posed to the community.

The Magistrate Eve Wynhausen said police had a “strong case” against Nader but it still was unclear if the piece of timber had been aimed at anyone.

Joseph Nader, 28.: Instagram

“At this stage the objective seriousness is around mid-range,” she said. She granted Nader bail after accepting his strong community ties with his mother and long-term partner attending in support, and the “tragic events” on the night of the alleged offence.

Nader’s bail conditions include he must live with his mother in their Liverpool apartment and follow a night-time curfew.

Nader must also report to Liverpool police three days a week, surrender his passport, not enter any international port of travel and not go within 100m of Christ the Good Shepherd’s Church in Wakeley.

“It is the court’s view that the imposition of very strict bail conditions would mitigate against the risks that the prosecution have outlined,” the Magistrate said.