Sydney anti-lockdown protesters granted bail, including alleged cop puncher

Seventeen anti-lockdown protesters have been granted bail despite police pushback, with prosecutors saying it would be a “travesty” if they were released.

Dozens of NSW protesters arrested at the anti-lockdown rally have been granted bail in court, including a man who allegedly punched and choked a cop.

Despite police prosecutors slamming their behaviour, 17 alleged protesters who appeared at the Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday were released from custody after spending the night at Surry Hills Police Station.

Parramatta cafe owner Mohamed Sayed was one of those who were granted bail for allegedly failing to comply with the Public Health Act, despite Prosecutor Craig Pullen telling the court it would be an “absolute travesty” if he were to be released from custody.

Brendan Mckenna allegedly travelled 300km to the protest.

Police officers detain a protestor in Sydney on August 21, 2021. Picture: David Gray

“It’s an absolute travesty...it’s a fly in the face of everything that we have been trying to do to protect the community,” Prosecutor Pullen said.

Daniel Haider, 32, was bailed after allegedly punching and choking a police officer who was hospitalised with cuts and bruises, the court heard.

The Five Dock builder had a cut to his head when he appeared via AVL in court on Sunday.

Maknun Ali also appeared in court on Sunday.

Police Prosecutor Pullen told the court: “The police are not punching bags. A push wasn’t enough, it was (allegedly) followed by a punch and a choke. Someone who will do that is an unacceptable risk to the community...we say his bail should be refused.”

But his lawyer Chaddy Mardini said his client had “the presumption of innocence” and no criminal record.

Mr Mardini told the court he would investigate whether officers complied with their duty when dealing with Haider.

Policeman injured on Broadway at the rally.

Amanda Joy Kalousek appeared in court with a black eye after allegedly being involved in a police scuffle.

The court heard Kalousek was charged with resisting arrest after allegedly grabbing the handcuff pouch of an officer.

The Chippendale resident spent 44 days in prison for violent offences last year, convicted of malicious damage and possessing a gun, the court heard.

She was also granted bail, with conditions not to enter the CBD or attend Victoria Park, where the protest was held.

Brendan Mckenna allegedly travelled more than 300 kilometres from the small rural NSW town of Kandos - about an hour drive south east of Mudgee - to attend the gathering, the court heard.

Police make arrests on Broadway. Picture: Julian Andrews

Magistrate Peter Miszalski asked Mckenna: “Did you enjoy your stay?”

To which he replied: “No, I did not, Sir.”

He was granted bail with a 9pm curfew.

Convicted sex offender Thomas David Foster, of Hillsdale, was one of those refused bail after allegedly “leading” a group of chanting protesters.

“This man is a sex offender. He breached those (court) orders on eight separate occasions,” Crown Prosecutor Andrew Blatch told the court.

“He finished that intensive supervision order in March last year. He is now before this court again for breaching orders. These are obviously different in nature. A person who has done that many offences of breaching serious orders, and is now taking it upon himself to become the leader of the group (shows) he simply won’t comply with orders.”

More arrests at the rally on Broadway. Picture: Matrix

The court heard the garbage man has breached court orders on eight separate occasions, with Prosecutor Blatch telling the court: “He won’t comply. Prison did not deter him...he will reoffend.”

Foster, charged with inciting arrest, told the court: “I wasn’t the leader. My son can’t go to school. I was chanting for freedom.”

During his hearing, Mr Miszalski took time to condemn the acts of protesters.

“NSW has been placed in a horrible situation, where we have to stay at home. And we can’t do certain things. But the health order is there to protect us,” Mr Miszalski told the court.

“If there are individuals in our community that want to flout those directions, there are consequences.”

Northern Beaches builder Joshua Carman’s bail was refused after he was charged with assaulting a police officer.

The court heard he had a “problem with authority”.

Lakemba man Maknun Ali, charged with contravening a public health order, was found in possession of a 10 centimeter flick knife.

He was granted bail but will be on house arrest, unable to leave unless for a medical emergency or to be tested for Covid-19.

Other people who were charged with breaching public health restrictions and were bailed included Maknun Ali, Luis Silva, Dylan Clarke, Jordan Szucs, Issa Kattoub, Salim Miski, Jack Aaron Barlow, Elvis Sinosic and Nikhil Sharma.

Those who appeared on Sunday had their cases adjourned to appear September 1 at the Sydney Downing Centre Court.