Wakeley rioter Issa Haddad granted bail after allegedly assaulting media

A Wakeley rioter has cried in court while applying for bail after allegedly spitting towards a news camera operator after a court appearance.

A man who rioted at the southwest Sydney church where a bishop was recently stabbed wiped away tears as he sought bail on charges of assaulting a member of the media.

Issa Haddad, 28, had just left Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to making violent threats when he allegedly lashed out at waiting news media.

Video shows Haddad attempting to cover his face before he tripped on uneven ground outside the courthouse, allegedly swung at a News Corp Australia reporter, and then spat towards a camera operator without making contact – for which he was charged with common assault.

Haddad was further charged with recording an image inside a court premises over allegations he took a Snapchat of the magistrate who dealt with him on Wednesday and captioned it “f--k this clown”.

Issa Haddad (right) with his father outside Fairfield Local Court on May 8.

The Horningsea Park man’s initial charges arose from his involvement in a chaotic riot of approximately 2000 people at Christ the Good Shepherd Assyrian Church in Wakeley last month.

The appalling scenes ensued after Bishop Mar Mari was stabbed, allegedly in a terror attack carried out by a radicalised teen.

Police initially refused Haddad‘s bail over the alleged attack on media and the Snapchat on Wednesday.

Issa Haddad (right) outside Fairfield Local Court on May 8.

Despite strong opposition by a police prosecutor, Magistrate Elizabeth Manea granted Haddad bail again on strict conditions at court on Thursday.

“The allegations before the court are concerning, because you were on bail for serious allegations,” Ms Manea said.

“The fresh charges, perhaps there is somewhat of a defence as it’s in a context of some provocation and that the alleged spit did not hit the complainant.”

Ms Manea also said the allegation of photographing a magistrate inside court was of concern.

“It is put by the prosecution that it shows a blatant disregard for the sanctity of the courtroom,” Ms Manea said.

Issa Haddad after falling outside court.

However, in granting Haddad bail, Ms Manea said any time spent on remand in respect of the fresh allegations would likely exceed any sentence Haddad would receive if he pleaded guilty to them.

It was further submitted Haddad had no prior record and has a diagnosed intellectual disability.

Haddad will be required to reside with his parents, abide by a curfew not to leave the house between 7pm and 7am, to abstain from alcohol and all drugs unless prescribed by a doctor, and to abide by any treatment reasonably recommended by a court liaison officer.

He is also not to contact the 10 News cameraman by any means.

“When you come to the court, if they are here, you can’t approach them – ignore them, put your head down and keep moving,” Ms Manea warned Haddad.

“It’s very serious, these allegations.”

Issa Haddad outside Fairfield Local Court on May 8.

On the audiovisual link, Haddad repeatedly wiped at his eyes with shaking hands after he was granted bail.

He will return to court to enter pleas in the fresh matters on May 22.

On Wednesday, court documents revealed Haddad was identified as one of the April 15 rioters by police due to “distinctive tattoos on his neck”.

He was metres away from police when they heard him say “bro just put two into his head” and later “eye for an eye, eye for an eye”, court documents state.

Haddad returns to court for sentence in the riot matter on June 19.