26 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Road ragers hit on plainclothed policeman

Latest News

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Other News

New report highlights gaps in rural and remote health

The second annual Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Best for the Bush, Rural and remote Health Base Line’ report has just been released. Presenting the latest data on the health of rural and remote Australians and evidence on service gaps, it identifies issues in urgent need of attention from service providers, funders, partners and policy makers.

NORPA’s wild ride at Lismore Showgrounds

NORPA is taking audiences on an adventure outside the theatre once again, announcing it will stage its original work Wildskin in a warehouse space at the Lismore Showgrounds. A sensory, destination theatre experience, Wildskin inhabits an outrageous and unpredictable world that’s part bush-thriller, part road-trip and a whole lot of NORPA’s signature theatrical style.

Workshop in Creative Writing For Beginners

Have you always felt like you have a novel in you, but don’t know where to start? Or have...

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

The Picture House is turning 8

It feels like we were only just ringing in the new year days ago and here we are approaching Easter weekend at The Brunswick Picture House. It’s already been a whirlwind start to 2024 with their biggest and busiest program so far, bringing an eclectic mix of some of the hottest stand-up comedy, music gigs, film screenings and cabaret – and that was just last week!

How the coral crisis affects other marine wildlife

Marine heatwaves are killing coral and denuding reefs of their colourful beauty – but in a world where everything is food for something else, these heatwaves also pose a major threat to biodiversity.

Eve Jeffery

A father and son appeared in Byron Bay court last Friday on charges stemming from a road-rage incident in Brunswick Heads.

Tony Nelson and his father Clarence Nelson were driving into Brunswick when a four-wheel-drive came up behind them and tooted his horn, as the Nelsons were driving slowly in search of a particular address.

Tony Nelson, who was a passenger in the vehicle, thrust his hand through the window and flipped his middle finger at the driver of the 4×4 and both cars pulled over.

What Tony Nelson didn’t know was that the driver of the other vehicle was local police officer Detective Sergeant Labeeb Saad.

A scuffle ensued and Detective Saad placed Mr Nelson Junior under arrest. Mr Nelson Senior, who admitted to the court that he was hard of hearing, joined in the melee and Detective Saad called for assistance from onlookers.

As the police vehicle was unmarked and Saad was not in a police uniform, Mr Nelson alleges that he felt threatened by the approach of the other driver in what he thought was an act of road rage.

Detective Saad told the court that he did say he was from the police but the situation escalated at such speed that he did not have the chance to fully identify himself.

As a result of the incident, Detective Saad received a black eye, cuts and bruises and an injury to his mouth requiring three stitches. Tony Nelson was charged with offensive language and both of the Nelsons were charged with resisting arrest and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Several complications arose during the hearing as Tony Nelson claims he did not understand that Det Saad was a police officer and Mr Nelson senior’s hearing impairment hampered his grasp of the situation.

The timing of both the Nelsons’ understanding and acknowledgment of Det Saad’s occupation was one of the main questions in the case and magistrate Michael Dakin retired to his chambers to look further look into the evidence given on the stand by the Nelsons and Detective Saad.

More witnesses took the stand during the afternoon.

During proceedings the charge of assault was withdrawn against Clarence Nelson and Mr Dakin ruled that he be given a bond of good behaviour for two years.

The case involving Tony Nelson was adjourned until November 23.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Police should be identifiable at ALL times,How did they know ( the Nelson’s) that they were not about to be bashed?? When the dust has settled ,the detective will see this for what it was!

  2. If someone was to toot me, pull over when I did and get out of his car I would feel threatened too. He should have driven straight past, did he forget he didn’t have a uniform on? Wonder what the result would have been if he wasn’t a police officer?

  3. That is really rough!
    How can an unmarked car and unmarked cop still stand behind the badge like this?
    Under the same circumstances I would also assume I was being harassed by a civilian who was probably a threat to my personal safety.
    Why should a cop get special treatment like this? The fact was he was a nobody until he clearly identified himself as a police officer and showed them his badge.

    There are so many nut-jobs out on the road who do such harassing things to people in unfamiliar territory looking for street signs and going slowly…. this cop seems to be no different.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.