Jason Simpson, Lonnie Willis: ‘Brothers’ charged with kebab shop bust-up

A Wollongong man accused of assaulting three people after an incident at a kebab shop has abused a magistrate for denying him bail.

An Illawarra man accused of assaulting three people in the Wollongong CBD on Monday night has unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade on a magistrate after he was denied bail.

Jason Robert Patric Simpson fronted Wollongong Local Court via video link along with co-accused and flatmate Lonnie Bruce Willis – the two describe each other as “brothers” having grown up together in the Southern Highlands.

Simpson is charged with two counts of common assault and assaulting a police officer in the execution of their duty while Willis is facing charges of common assault and resisting or hindering police in the execution of their duty.

The “serious and unprovoked” alleged assaults occurred just before 11pm outside the Food House kebab shop on Crown St.

Documents tendered in court allege the duo were engaged in an argument with another man and a woman.

Police allege Simpson and Willis were captured on security cameras walking in and of the kebab house before the former punched the man and the woman – collecting the woman in the face.

Lonnie Bruce Willis and Jason Robert Patric Simpson. Pictures: Facebook

It’s also alleged Willis punched the man in the face before the two fled the scene.

Police were able to locate the duo on nearby Market St where they attempted to place them under arrest.

Simpson is alleged to have become agitated and aggressive before attempting to punch an officer who was trying to handcuff him.

Simpson’s punch was blocked before he was wrestled to the ground and eventually handcuffed – the officer sustaining a cut to his forehead.

The court documents stated around this point Willis tried to make a dash, however, another officer was able to grab hold of him and handcuff him.

The pair were taken to Wollongong Command where Simpson told police he was “triggered” by the uniform with both men expressing remorse for their behaviour.

Defence lawyer Rosie Lambert represented both men in court on Tuesday where she questioned the “convenient lack of body-worn footage”.

“In the year 2022, it is inexplicable and highly suspicious [that there was no body-worn footage] – What are the police trying to cover up?” she said in court.

The pair fronted Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday.

Ms Lambert also said Willis had been “belted and bashed” by the officers.

Magistrate Greg Elks granted Willis bail under “strict conditions” that he report daily, adhere to a 6pm to 6am curfew and that he reside at a Keira St address which is in Simpson‘s name.

The magistrate, however, concurred with submissions that Simpson‘s alleged offence was “more serious” and was exacerbated by the fact he was on bail for shoplifting charges.

Bail was denied before Simpson, who had been moaning throughout due to pain in his back, chest and wrists, hurled abuse at Magistrate Elks.

“For f**** sake, how can you do that?” Simpson said.

“I didn’t do nothing Your Honour.

“Can you answer my question … f*** you, you gronk.”

The two will appear in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday, August 18.