Andrew Cordova: Lakemba dad jailed for affray, intimidating police

A new dad who started a huge fight in a Bondi McDonald’s and threatened to kill several police officers has been sent to jail, leaving his crying partner and baby behind.

Andrew Cordova was jailed for affray and intimidating police. Picture: Facebook

Emotional scenes erupted in court as a new dad was taken away from his partner and mum in handcuffs for making frightening unprovoked attacks on strangers in McDonald’s and threatening to kill police officers.

Andrew Cordova, 25, was sent to jail for affray and intimidating police in their duty, Waverley Local Court heard.

According to agreed facts, it all started when Cordova stole a pair of Nike Air Max shoes and a grey duffel bag from Coogee Beach on the afternoon of Australia Day.

After a witness reported the theft to police, who arrested Cordova and took him to Maroubra Police Station, Cordova made multiple threats to kill one sergeant and a constable.

To one, he said: “I’m going to remember you and I’m going to kill you” multiple times, and to another, he said: “I’ll find you and I’m going to kill you.”

The first incident happened at Coogee Beach. Picture: Jeremy Piper

According to the facts, Cordova’s threats made both men fear for their safety.

In another incident, Cordova started what became a huge brawl at Bondi Beach McDonald’s shortly before 6pm on July 17.

The facts reveal the Lakemba man walked into the McDonald’s and “unprovoked, walked headfirst into the back of an unknown male person wearing all black”.

After the young person attempted to run away, Cordova walked back to the group “an aggressive manner” and ended up in a fight with several others.

At one point, Cordova approached a young man who was sitting down on a seat opposite the McDonald’s, who had nothing to do with the previous altercation, and randomly punched him in the face.

Cordova started a fight at McDonald’s in Bondi, the court heard. Picture: James Gourley

“A large physical altercation occurred involving a number of unknown people and throughout a number of punches were exchanged,” the facts read.

“The unknown people all walked away from the accused in order to create a safe distance between themselves and the accused. The accused continues to try to start fights with people in the vicinity.”

When police arrested Cordova, they noted he seemed very intoxicated.

Waverley Local Court heard Cordova had an extensive criminal history and had been in and out of custody.

At the time of the McDonald’s fight, he was on probation for intimidating police in the execution of their duties and larceny, the facts read.

His lawyer, Ms Chalmers, told the court he was in full-time rehabilitation for his alcohol use on August 7 when his pregnant partner had a fall and his baby was potentially going to die.

The new dad was sentenced at Waverley Local Court. Picture: Damian Shaw

“He chose to stay in rehab despite it being very tough and go for a week,” Ms Chalmers said.

“It (the rehab) cost him $9k which his mother paid and he’s paying her back. He secured a forklift position which he starts next week and wants to be a father to his newborn”.

Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge accepted he had pleaded guilty and was remorseful, but said the affray was a very serious matter.

“You’ve even done a stint in jail, and then you’re released and you do it again,” Magistrate Milledge said.

Cordova was sentenced to six months jail for intimidating a police officer in execution of their duty.

He was sentenced to 18 months for affray, with a non-parole period of six months.

The terms will be served concurrently.

As the sheriffs took Cordova into custody from the courtroom, his partner and mother cried and embraced him.