Man accused of Israeli restaurant ruckus denied bail

Perth Now

3 days ago

Bail has been refused for a man accused of throwing food and dining chairs during a pro-Palestine protest at an Israeli restaurant.
Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz handed down the decision for Antwany Arnold, 50, on Wednesday after finding he was an unacceptable risk of endangering the community.
Arnold made the application after he was charged with affray and throwing a missile over the July 4 incident.
Police allege he was among a group of pro-Palestine protesters who converged outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD.
Arnold allegedly participated in an anti-Israel chant before throwing food and two dining chairs in the direction of the restaurant.
He's also accused of throwing water at a neighbouring restaurant in Hardware Lane.
CCTV footage of the Miznon incident was played in Melbourne Magistrates Court, alongside police body-worn camera footage of another incident in April where Arnold is accused of spitting on a man.
It's alleged he was playing offensive chants from a speaker on Bourke Street in Melbourne's CBD when a member of the public told him to turn the audio off.
Arnold is accused of then swearing at the man and making threats to kill, before spitting on the alleged victim as police arrested him.
He's also accused of using offensive language towards officers during the arrest.
The court was told Arnold was bailed over the Bourke Street incident, with a condition to not enter the Melbourne CBD.
It's alleged he breached those bail conditions during the Miznon incident and on another occasion in July when he attended a protest in the city.
In handing down her decision, Ms Mykytowycz said she considered Arnold's behaviour as a real and ongoing risk to the mental wellbeing of the community.
Arnold was being antagonistic and entirely indiscriminate in the people he was targeting with his microphone and speaker, the magistrate said.
"You risk alienating the very community to which you seek to be heard," Ms Mykytowycz told Arnold.
"Arguably, you already have."
The magistrate found Arnold's time on remand could exceed his ultimate sentence but said the risk to the community was too great to ignore.
She also considered there were no bail conditions that could reduce that risk, given he was already accused of breaching the single condition of not entering the Melbourne CBD.
Arnold, who was watching the hearing via video link from prison, clapped as Ms Mykytowycz refused him bail.
He is due to return to court for a contest mention in August.