A man involved in the mass riot in which several police officers were seriously injured was caught spitting at journalists during a crisis outside the court.
Issa Haddad, 28, was due to be sentenced in Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday morning after joining 2,000 people who rioted outside Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, west of Sydney, following the stabbing. from a bishop on April 15.
However, Haddad may have gotten into more trouble after aggressively confronting and threatening journalists waiting outside the courthouse.
Disturbing images shared with Daily Telegraph It showed Haddad spitting at members of the media and yelling: ‘Get out of my sight, you fucking dog.’
Haddad had left the courthouse moments earlier with his hood pulled tightly around his face.
Issa Haddad (right) and her father (left) spat at reporters as they left Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday.
Haddad (pictured) was charged with threatening violence to cause fear after joining the Wakeley riots on April 15.
With his middle finger raised, the 28-year-old attempted to walk away from reporters, but ended up tripping and losing a shoe in the process.
The Sydney resident, who pleaded guilty to making threats of violence to cause fear, curled up in a ball and began cursing as his mother rushed to his aid.
He yelled at a nearby sheriff: “I’ll kick you, dog,” before telling his mother: “Don’t touch me, I do what I want.”
Haddad’s father joined his son in berating the media, and at one point also spat at reporters.
“Fuck you, you’re a piece of shit,” the father told reporters.
Haddad eventually retreated inside the courthouse where police reportedly interviewed him and his family.
The 28-year-old’s lawyer had previously told the court during a bail application that Haddad suffers from bipolar disorder.
Haddad initially left the courthouse with his hoodie pulled tightly over his face as he raised the middle finger to reporters (pictured).
He was then seen falling and losing his shoe before facing the media and eventually returning to court.
Several police officers were seriously injured during riots on April 15 in which 2,000 people flocked to Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley following the alleged stabbing of a bishop.
Police are still searching for several rioters (one pictured) who damaged police property on April 15.
Haddad was arrested on April 20 at a property in Horningsea Park.
His case on Wednesday was adjourned for six weeks pending a sentencing assessment report from Magistrate Stuart Devine.
The NSW Police investigation into the live-streamed stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, which has been declared a terrorist incident, and the subsequent riot, is ongoing.
Investigators on Tuesday released photos of nine more people they say took part in violent attacks during the unrest.
Police have so far charged 14 men in connection with the incident.
Strike Force Dribs commander Andrew Evans warned the suspected rioters that if they did not come forward they would be pursued by heavily armed officers.
“If you were there that night and undertook any type of violent criminal action, you need to turn yourself in,” Commander Evans told the Daily Telegraph.
“We will execute those search warrants on family homes and as a result, their families, neighbors and communities are exposed to police coming through the front door and actively seeking to arrest people.”
The stern warning comes after dozens of officers arrested George Boulos at his home in Picnic Point.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel (right) was allegedly attacked by a 16-year-old boy (left), who now faces terrorism charges.
Police in New South Wales warned rioters who were violent or damaged property to come forward or risk arrest by heavily armed officers in front of “their families, neighbors and communities” (pictured, police at the riot of Wakeley)
Boulos is alleged to have used a metal ladder to break a church window in an attempt to confront the suspected teenage terrorist.
He has been charged with rioting, aggravated criminal trespass, throwing a missile at a police officer and assault on a police officer.
The 16-year-old boy who allegedly carried out the attack has been charged with a terrorism crime.
Anyone with information about the Wakeley riots is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
