The Alexandra District Court had to be cleared for a period this morning after a defendant became aggressive and emotional during his appearance.
Andrew Drysdale Beck (45) was in the dock facing charges of intentionally impeding the breathing of a person by applying pressure on their throat, and assaulting a person he was in a family relationship with, both in Alexandra, on July 8; and assaulting a police officer, in Queenstown on July 8.
Counsel for Beck, Kieran Tohill, entered guilty pleas on behalf of his client but Beck said he wanted to read a statement to Judge Dominic Flatley before he entered pleas.
Beck started to read his statement but Judge Flatley said he was not permitted to and Beck became angry and aggressive.
He was restrained by two police officers and a court security guard and Judge Flatley asked for members of the public to leave the court.
Judge Flatley also left the court.
Beck continued to be aggressive and then became emotional but was subsequently calmed by police and security staff, as well as family members, and Mr Tohill. Beck was returned to custody.
The summary previously read out in court said Beck had head butted his victim and grabbed her by the throat, making her think she would die. He then threw her back to the floor and body-slammed her.
Later at the Queenstown police station when Beck was declined a cigarette he pushed out of his cell and grabbed an officer by her vest and pushed her against a wall.
Beck was remanded to reappear on September 26.
