Bondi Rescue star in court over DV claims
Written by admin on October 24, 2024
Bondi Rescue star Andrew Reid has appeared in court facing domestic violence charges, stemming from three alleged assaults.
The 45-year-old lifeguard has pleaded not guilty to two counts of common assault, which allegedly took place in November 2022 and January 2023 in Chatswood on Sydney’s north shore.
A third charge of occasioning actual bodily harm is alleged to have occurred on March 24.
The allegations all involve the same woman, who is listed as a protected person under an apprehended domestic violence order against Reid.
Reid, a well-known figure on Bondi Rescue since the series debuted in 2006, appeared in court to begin contesting the charges.
His defence barrister, the high-profile Margaret Cunneen SC, indicated the allegations will be “vigorously defended”.
“There are three very disparate allegations with a long time in between all, of which on the defence case, could be accounted for by an accident,” Cunneen told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“There is no hitting or punching alleged. His good character will be squarely raised in the question of proof in these allegations.”
Reid’s case is scheduled for a hearing on March 25 next year at Hornsby Local Court.
The long-serving lifeguard, who has patrolled Bondi Beach for over 20 years, gained further attention earlier this year when he rushed to assist victims during the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing rampage, which left six people dead.
Reid, who was shopping at Myer when the situation unfolded, acted quickly after a retail worker alerted him to the chaos.
Initially locked behind a safety door, Reid convinced a security guard to let him slip through to help a bleeding woman.
“There was a lady… and there was just blood everywhere,” he told Nine News.
Reid and two others administered first aid to the woman alongside police officers.
“I have never seen so much blood… we were just looking for wounds, trying to stem the bleeding,” he recalled.
Despite his years of experience dealing with emergencies on Bondi Beach, Reid admitted the Westfield incident was unlike anything he had ever witnessed.
“I have seen some pretty gnarly stuff after working for 20 years on the beach, but nothing like this.”
The case continues to unfold and Reid maintains his innocence against the allegations.
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