A 38-year-old man has been arrested and charged after allegedly breaching terminal security with a knife and a saw at Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport in regional New South Wales.
Police allege the man visited the regional airport at 9.30am on Monday before officers searched him and seized the weapons. He was issued a formal move-on direction and temporarily left the site, but returned a short time later.
When the man returned to the airport, a scuffle broke out with responding officers. Police restrained the man while a male senior constable required medical treatment for minor injuries. The suspect was taken to Lismore Base Hospital and later discharged into police custody.
Police charges and court appearance
Following his release from hospital, officers transported the man to Lismore Police Station, where he was formally charged with six offences. The charges include destroying or damaging property valued at less than or equal to $2,000, custody of a knife in a public place, and refusing or failing to comply with a direction under Part 14.
He was also charged with assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty causing actual bodily harm, hindering or resisting a police officer in the execution of duty, and using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention. Police refused bail, and the suspect was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Regional hub and legal background
Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport is a regional airport in Ballina, New South Wales, serving the Northern Rivers district and coastal towns including Byron Bay. Individuals requiring medical treatment or holding following incidents in Ballina are typically transferred to nearby Lismore Base Hospital and Lismore Police Station.
Under New South Wales police powers, a move-on direction under Part 14 allows officers to order a person to leave a public location if their conduct causes obstruction or safety concerns. When police refuse bail following formal charges, the accused individual remains in custody until an initial court appearance before a magistrate.
