Daniel James Nicholson: Man who jumped court dock to escape custody jailed

A man who tried to escape custody by jumping over a court dock and fighting off sheriff’s officers has learnt his fate.

A South Australian man who jumped a court dock in an attempt to escape custody has been jailed for at least a year.

After trying to flee, Daniel James Nicholson, 35, was charged and pleaded guilty to attempting to escape from custody and two counts of recklessly causing harm to a prescribed emergency worker.

The father of four from O’Sullivan Beach initially fronted court on September 15, 2020, in relation to charges of carrying an offensive weapon and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Video footage of Nicholson, released by the Adelaide District Court in June, shows him leaping over the dock after he realised magistrate Sue O’Connor revoked his bail.

Daniel James Nicholson jumps from the dock. Picture: Courts SA

After he “freaked out” about the decision, Nicholson is met by two sheriff's officers who try to stop him leaving the Christies Beach Magistrates Court.

A scuffle ensues before Nicholson jumps out of the dock on his second attempt and lands on the bar table.

Police prosecutor Brendan Gottschutzke quickly grabs the defendant and pins him to the ground, but Nicholson manages to break free from his hold.

The sheriff’s officers again assist in apprehending Nicholson, who loses his balance and falls backwards after being grabbed from behind.

Nicholson is then restrained.

As a result of the incident, one sheriff's officer sustained a broken right foot and needed to wear a moon boot for six weeks.

During Nicholson’s sentencing on Thursday, Judge Liesl Chapman said the sheriff's officer needed help getting dressed as well as getting in and out of the shower and was unable to drive.

She also said the man worried about his relationship with work colleagues, and had sleepless nights wondering if they believed he did the right thing.

The other sheriff’s officer suffered a clicking jaw and headache from the scuffle.

Nicholson is restrained by the police prosecutor and sheriff’s officers as his lawyer watches on from the bar table. Picture: Courts SA

The court was told Nicholson was high on methylamphetamine at the time of his attempted escape.

The defendant claimed to have “freaked out” when he was told his bail was revoked because he thought he was just appearing in court that day and would have gone home with his son.

He also told police his reaction was “stupid” and he “didn't mean to hurt anyone”.

But Judge Chapman said the outburst was “inexcusable”.

“The fact that you were high on methylamphetamine at the time reflects very poorly on you,” she said.

“Who knows what type of example you thought you were setting for your son.”

The court was told Nicholson had anger and violence problems as well as a significant history of substance abuse that dated back to 2002.

Judge Chapman said Nicholson was “emotionally unstable” and an “extremely angry person” who was likely to act out verbally and physically in situations of conflict.

She told the court that the defendant admitted to a psychologist that he also had a gambling problem.

After the scuffle in September 2020, Nicholson was escorted away by officers. Picture: Courts SA

By committing the crime, Nicholson breached two good behaviour bonds.

Judge Chapman said community protection and a general deterrence was important when deciding an appropriate sentence.

She said the only reasonable sentence was jail time, and there were no grounds for it to be suspended.

The judge added his type of offending was “too serious” to grant home detention bail and would impact public confidence in the administration of justice if it was granted.

“A clear message must be sent to people that, here in our courts, such a breach of court security will be met with a significant penalty.

“Despite having four children, it is apparent to date that you have made no effort whatsoever to address your drug problem and behave like a responsible adult.

“I accept that you are genuinely contrite and remorseful about what you did on this occasion.

“It’s going to take a real effort for you to put your words into actions, (as) you told (the psychologist) that you wish to undertake rehabilitation programs.

“If you don‘t, I can tell you that you are on a steady path to spend many of your years in custody.”

Nicholson was handed a one year, nine month and 18 day prison sentence with a non-parole period of one year.