Police have made their first arrest following an investigation into two brawls in North Wollongong on Easter Saturday, one of which was caught on camera.
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Wollongong detectives launched an investigation after receiving reports of a violent melee at the North Gong Hotel just before 5.30pm on April 16, then another in the carpark of the Dan Murphy's across the road half an hour later.
The pub brawl was filmed by bystanders and allegedly involved two security guards and up to seven patrons, the later of whom were ejected from the venue as a result of the incident.
Police will allege one of the security guards contacted a friend, who drove to the pub with another man.
A third man, Balgownie's Ryan Hadaya, joined the guards at the pub.
The group of men then drove to the nearby Ampol Service Station, parked their vehicles and walked back towards the pub.
It is alleged the group saw three men from the earlier fight in the carpark of Dan Murphys and set upon the trio in an unprovoked attack.
It is alleged Hadaya punched one of the men twice in head and pushed and shoved him.
Police claim CCTV footage of the incident shows Hadaya then joined one of his friends in attacking a second man who was on the ground.
The two groups dispersed before police arrived, however the entire incident was caught on camera, court documents said.
Hadaya handed himself into Wollongong police on Wednesday morning, where he was charged with a single count of affray.
(Hadaya has not been accused of being involved in the earlier affray at the pub and the Mercury does not suggest he was.)
He fronted Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday afternoon and sought release on bail.
Defence lawyer Graeme Morrison said Hadaya was currently on bail awaiting sentence over another brawl which occurred in Sydney in January.
He said Hadaya was an industrious man who held down three jobs - one as an RSA marshal at licensed premises, a second as a retail assistant at a local department store and also helped in his father's business.
Magistrate Michael O'Brien agreed to grant Hadaya strict bail on the condition he abstain from drugs or alcohol, not enter the North Gong Hotel and not try to contact any of the victims.
He must also live with his parents in Balgownie.
The matter will return to court next month for Hadaya to indicate a plea.
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