First Wakeley rioter faces sentence after Christ the Good Shepherd Church leader stabbed
The first person will be sentenced over a violent riot outside a Sydney church after its bishop was stabbed, as police continue to crack down on alleged participants.
Issa Haddad has pleaded guilty to threatening violence to cause fear during the disturbance outside Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley in April.
Magistrate Stuart Devine will sentence Haddad at Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Police allege about 2000 people gathered outside the church after Assyrian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and priest Isaac Royel were stabbed during a live-streamed service.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence over the stabbing, which police allege was religiously motivated.
Haddad had screamed outside the church for the attacker to be brought out, and said that an “eye for an eye” was necessary.
He will also be sentenced over separate charges of filming in court and assault after he violently lashed out at reporters waiting outside Fairfield Local Court after a hearing in May.
He had attempted to cover his face with his hoodie before tripping and losing his shoe, swearing at police who tried to help him up.
Thirty people have been arrested over the riot during which dozens of police were injured and their cars vandalised.
Some officers and paramedics were also forced to shelter inside the place of worship before the 16-year-old could be safely taken away.
