A second man charged over a highly public brawl in the Nowra CBD over the busy Christmas holiday period where a machete and metal pole were allegedly produced has been refused bail.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Worrigee man, Jeremy James McKenzie, 24, appeared before acting registrar Deborah Mason in Nowra Local Court facing a variety of charges.
Just after midday on January 11 police were called to the car park of the Stockland Shopping Centre in Nowra after reports of a fight between two men, who it was believed were armed with knives.
Police were told the fight was in full view of members of the public including children.
The two men were allegedly fighting with large weapons, possibly including a machete.
CCTV images showed McKenzie and another man, later identified as Kyle Knopp, fighting in the car park.
Police said the footage showed the two men remove items from a car parked in the area.
It is alleged Knopp had a large knife or machete and McKenzie a metal pole. Both are seen to take swings at each other with the weapons.
- Court papers
It is alleged Knopp had a large knife or machete and McKenzie a metal pole.
Both are seen to take swings at each other with the alleged weapons, while there was verbal threats.
Police said the incident carried on long enough and was loud enough to attract considerable public attention, with the shopping centre busy with holiday makers.
When police arrived officers were told the men had left the area, but one, Knopp, had run across the Princes Highway towards Junction Street.
He was arrested a short time later by a number of officers at the pedestrian crossing at the rear of the Coles car park at the Nowra Mall.
When interviewed, Knopp allegedly told police he believed he had been involved in the altercation with a man named Jeremy Usher, who police discovered is also known as Jeremy McKenzie.
It is alleged McKenzie was also involved in a break-in at an Illaroo Road address at Cambewarra later in the day.
It's alleged, along with another person, he gained entry to a detached garage at the property and was disturbed by the owners as they were leaving.
After investigations McKenzie was later arrested by police.
He faces a variety of charges including custody of a knife in a public place, possession or use of a prohibited weapon, possessing a prohibited drug, being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, affray and break and enter with intent.
He also faces multiple driving charges from other previous alleged offences, including driving while his licence was suspended, driving while disqualified, and driving with illicit drugs present in his system as well as failing to appear in court.
He did not apply for bail which was formally refused and he will reappear in court on October 9.
Knopp, 26, of Nowra, has previously appeared in court charged with wielding a knife in a public place, affray, armed with intent to commit an indictable offence and carrying a cutting weapon upon arrest.
He was granted bail and is due to reappear in court on September 11.
Read more: Crime/Court
