A Coledale man who allegedly threw horse poo and a pot plant at a police horse during the Sydney anti-lockdown protest in July was released on bail in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday.
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Upon his release from custody a barefoot Jonathan Paul Sargent fled from media down Market Street.
Sargent, aged 29, appeared via audio-visual link, charged with rioting, two counts of throwing a "missile" at a police officer as part of a public disorder event, not causing actual bodily harm, assaulting a police officer, not causing actual bodily harm, and not complying with a noticed direction regarding COVID-19.
Sargent has not yet entered a plea to the charges.
Police allege Sargent, who is unemployed, attended the anti-lockdown rally in the Sydney CBD on Saturday, July 24.
In facts tendered to the court, police said Sargent was part of a group who surrounded a police officer outside a George Street store, pushing and threatening him.
Police say that mounted officers used themselves and their horses to make a barrier between the man and the group, before Sargent allegedly engaged in an "unsanitary" act.
"At this point the accused picked up horse manure with his right hand and flung it at a mounted police officer, striking her face and torso," police allege.
"Officers feared immediate danger and retreated."
Police allege Sargent chased the mounted officer, picked up a pot plant and threw it at the horse.
"It hit the rear of the horse with such force it caused the horse to startle and jump," police submitted to the court.
"The confrontation continued for some time."
Police released a number of photographs of people at the rally and urged anyone who was able to identify the individuals to call Crimestoppers.
Sargent was arrested as he was leaving a Woonona residence about 3.20pm on Tuesday, August 10.
Police say Sargent was identified using CCTV and other footage taken at the event, and it is understood his arrest followed tip-offs to Crimestoppers.
Later on Tuesday police executed a search warrant at a Coledale home.
They allege they found a "distinctive" brown velvet fedora with a dark brown band around the brim.
In documents tendered to the court police claim they also spoke to Sargent's mother, who confirmed a distinctive tattoo on the hand of the man in the CCTV footage is the same as one on Sargent's hand.
She also told police Sargent had the tattoo covered in the days following the rally.
Sargent was provided a Legal Aid solicitor, and refused to answer police questions.
He has no prior criminal record, and no history of violence.
He applied for bail and it was granted on the condition he regularly report to police, provide a $500 surety and comply with all Public Health directions.
Sargent will return to court on August 25 at the Downing Centre.
Read more Illawarra court and crime stories here.
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