Rioters convicted over 'unacceptable' church attack

Chantelle David has been warned to seek anger management help or she could be back before court. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

A woman has been convicted and handed a good behaviour bond over her "reactive, inflamed" behaviour during riots outside a western Sydney church after a bishop's stabbing.

Chantelle David, 28, had attended mass at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley to pray for her dead uncle in April when Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and priest Isaac Royel were stabbed.

When an angry mob gathered outside the church demanding the stabber be released, David joined them.

Police outside Christ The Good Shepherd Church (file image)
Police charged 40 people after a mob gathered outside the church where two clerics were stabbed.

Calling police "scumbag pigs" and "f***ing dogs", the Bossley Park woman spat at officers, flipped them off and complained when she was pepper-sprayed, according to court documents.

"You can’t handle a girl with attitude," she told police.

Police estimate about 2000 rioters attended, damaging police vehicles, throwing projectiles at the church and using weapons such as fence palings, ladders, bricks and rocks to attack officers.

David, who is unemployed and has a criminal history of violence, has pleaded guilty to gathering with others to threaten violence or cause fear, joining an unlawful assembly and hindering or resisting police.

On Wednesday, she was convicted at Fairfield Local Court and sentenced to a two-year community corrections order and 30 hours of community service.

Magistrate Emma Manea condemned David's "very reactive, inflamed behaviour", saying a message had to be sent against any conduct which prevented police officers from doing their jobs in maintaining the peace.

“Behaving in this fashion is unacceptable and it's against community standards," she said.

Defence solicitor Danielle Epifania said that in addition to experiencing anxiety, depression and PTSD, her client had anger management issues which could be better treated outside of custody.

Issa Haddad (file image)
Issa Haddad was sentenced to three-months' jail to be served in the community over the riots.

Ms Manea agreed, but warned David to seek help or she could be back before the courts.

A second rioter Issa Haddad was convicted by the magistrate on Wednesday and handed a three-month jail sentence to be served in the community for his role in the riots.

Outside the Wakeley church, he called for the teenager who stabbed Bishop Emmanuel to be brought out as an "eye for an eye", telling police officers to just shoot the youngster twice in the head.

Appearing by video-link from jail as his mother and girlfriend watched in court, he was also sentenced to a two-year community corrections order for filming in court and attacking a journalist outside Fairfield courthouse after a hearing in May.

Ms Manea took into account Haddad's intellectual disability as well as his genuine remorse for his actions.

She said the time he had spent in custody since his bail was revoked on June 19 should deter the rioter from further crimes.

These sentences have been suspended and Haddad will remain in custody as he fights domestic violence allegations he attacked his mother and father during an argument at their family home in June.

Christian Dib leaves Fairfield Local Court
Christian Dib has pleaded guilty to behaving in an offensive manner in a public place.

A third rioter Christian Dib attended Fairfield courthouse on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to behaving in an offensive manner in a public place and joining an unlawful assembly.

The unemployed tradesman was caught on police body worn camera yelling offensive remarks at officers, calling one a "c**k sucker" while making racially charged comments to another officer of Asian heritage.

Police prosecutors have withdrawn a third charge of using or threatening violence to cause fear that was initially levelled against the Villawood man.

His matter has been adjourned for sentence on September 18.

Police have charged 40 people over the riot and have also hit a 16-year-old boy with a terrorism offence over the stabbing, which they allege was religiously motivated.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store