The Hold, Manly: James Gray, 34, refused bail for allegedly smashing up bar during ‘Tequila Tuesday’

A man, who had been sought by authorities for six years for allegedly assaulting police, was arrested after allegedly smashing up a trendy Sydney bar during “Tequila Tuesday”.

The Hold bar in Manly where a man allegedly assaulted an employee and wrecked furniture while drunk during ‘Tequila Tuesday’. File picture: Jeremy Piper

A man arrested for allegedly smashing up a trendy bar and assaulting an employee had been sought by authorities for six years for allegedly assaulting police, a Sydney court’s been told.

New Zealander James Gray, 34, destroyed tables, chairs and fairy lights at The Hold bar in Manly on Tuesday night, police alleged.

Mr Gray, who is staying at Collaroy while in Australia on a working holiday visa, also allegedly injured a security guard during the weekly “Tequila Tuesday” promotion at the popular bar on Sydney Rd.

Manly Court heard on Wednesday that Mr Gray, who works casually at the weekend Manly Markets on a stall selling mobile phone covers, was charged with one count each of affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, destroy or damage property and excluded person return premises.

The Hold in Sydney Rd, Manly, on Wednesday — the day after James Gray, 34, allegedly smashed up the bar. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Police alleged, in documents tendered to court, that soon after 10pm on Tuesday an “intoxicated, violent and disorderly” Mr Gray was removed from The Hold.

He had allegedly “destroyed fairy lights, an aluminium fence, tables and chairs” at The Hold.

Mr Gray also allegedly tried to get back into the bar. The court was told that a security guard had been assaulted.

After Mr Gray was taken to Manly police station to be charged with Tuesday night’s alleged offences, it was discovered that a series of warrants had been issued for his arrest for previous allegations of violence.

The Hold where an aluminium fence was allegedly damaged and fairy lights destroyed. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

In documents tendered to court police alleged that at Manly, in December 2014, Mr Gray had been charged with three counts of assaulting police and one count of resisting a police officer after he was confronted for allegedly stealing beer from Liquorland on The Corso.

In a tendered police facts sheet it was alleged that he threatened officers, telling them: “I’ll f****** smash your head into the cement right now”.

He allegedly punched one of the constables repeatedly in the face and the officer needed hospital treatment for the injuries.

Officers had to use capsicum spray on Mr Gray to make the arrest, it was alleged in the documents. He will now face court on the assault police charges.

In a separate police facts sheet, it was alleged that Mr Gray assaulted a police officer on Bondi Beach in October 2014.

A security guard at The Hold was allegedly assaulted on Tuesday. File picture: Annika Enderborg

Mr Gray, who was intoxicated, was allegedly harassing a group of woman on the beach at 1.15pm when he was approached by police. In a subsequent physical confrontation with officers, Mr Gray allegedly wrapped the cord of a police radio around the neck of one of the officers before he was tasered.

The court heard on Wednesday that Mr Gray may have been in New Zealand when the arrest warrants for the historic charges were issued.

His Legal Aid solicitor said Mr Gray told her that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been in treatment in New Zealand.

Police opposed his bail application due to concerns he could be a danger to the public if released from custody.

Magistrate Robyn Denes refused bail and ordered that he receive a psychiatric assessment while on remand. No pleas have been entered.

Mr Gray will be back in Manly Local Court on February 8.