Man detained at Ballina Airport after alleged assault on police officer
Thirty-eight-year-old Brayden Hardy was detained in the car park at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport in the north of the Australian state of New South Wales. According to ABC News Australia, the man will remain in custody after police charged him with assaulting a police officer.
Reports of trespassing
Police were called to the airport on Monday shortly after 9:30 a.m. local time following reports that a man had allegedly forced his way into a restricted area. ABC reports that he tried to enter the building through several doors and later gained access to the departure area.
Officers searched Hardy at the scene. Police allege that a knife and a saw were found among his belongings. The man was issued with a direction to leave the area, after which he left but returned shortly afterwards.
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Charges and court
After returning, Hardy allegedly assaulted a senior constable, according to police. The officer was treated at the scene by paramedics from NSW Ambulance and sustained minor injuries.
Footage of the arrest shows the man protesting as four police officers try to place him in a police vehicle. After his detention, Hardy was taken under guard to Lismore Base Hospital for an assessment and then to Lismore Police Station.
Police brought six charges against him, including assaulting a police officer, failing to comply with a direction, and possessing a knife in a public place. The court considered the bail matter on Tuesday, although Hardy was not required to attend. No bail application was made, and bail was formally refused. The next hearing was scheduled for Thursday at Ballina Local Court.
