An Alexandra man facing three violence charges became aggressive in the dock of the Alexandra District Court yesterday.
The behaviour of Andrew Drysdale Beck (45), factory worker, prompted Judge Dominic Flatley to clear the court.
Beck was charged with 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.
He became angry and aggressive when Judge Flatley would not let him read out a statement in court.
Beck 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 his counsel, Kieran Tohill.
Beck was returned to custody.
Mr Tohill entered guilty pleas on behalf of his client.
A summary of facts read out by Sergeant Adrian Cheyne said Beck had head-butted his victim and grabbed her by the throat, making her think she would die.
He then repeatedly threw her back to the floor and body-slammed her.
When she managed to free herself and phone police Beck told her she would "get another hiding" for phoning them.
Later at the Queenstown police station when Beck was declined a cigarette, he pushed his way out of his cell and grabbed an officer by her vest and pushed her 2m across the hallway against a wall.
A Taser was presented and it took three officers to get him to return to his cell.
Beck was remanded to reappear on September 26.
