Victorian man Nicholas Teplin in court over alleged Sydney Airport scuffle, train station assaults

The Australian

2 days ago

The man police allege is at the centre of the Sydney Airport firearm incident made a series of 'bizarre' comments to police after he was re-arrested for an alleged string of assaults, a court has been told.
Victorian man Nicholas Teplin, 41, was bailed after a scuffle with police at the airport on Wednesday, where an Australian Federal Police member's firearm was unintentionally discharged.
According to police, he was allegedly acting suspiciously in the T2 domestic terminal and, when approached by officers, became 'verbally and physically aggressive'.
Mr Teplin was arrested and bailed on charges of obstructing a Commonwealth official and creating a disturbance at an airport.
A man was arrested after a police firearm was discharged at Sydney Airport. Picture: 2GB
But in a twist, Mr Teplin was re-arrested at the Central Railway Station in Sydney's CBD on Thursday afternoon.
NSW Police allege he punched a 45-year-old man in the head, causing him to fall to the floor and suffer a nose bleed.
It's alleged he then struck two men along the concourse and attempted to grab a bag from a fourth before officers intervened.
Later, while in custody at Surry Hills police station, it's alleged he pushed a male constable in the chest.
Mr Teplin was charged with hinder or resist a police officer, affray, assault of a police officer, assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault.
Police closed off an area of the Sydney Domestic Airport. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short
He appeared in the Bail division court on Friday afternoon via a video link from Surry Hills police station, wearing a black hoodie.
Mr Teplin's lawyer, David Newham, told the court he'd spoken with the accused man and his partner.
'His partner has flown up from Melbourne and the plan was to pick him up and take him back but ultimately these matters have happened,' he said.
'His partner does tell me he's been on medication for the last 5 years for PTSD.'
Mr Newham told the court his proposal was to have his client released to a hospital to have his mental health assessed, noting Mr Teplin's partner and mother 'have no issue with him being assessed in care'.
'It's in the community's best interest that this man gets assessed as opposed to going into the prison system,' he said.
A firearm was discharged. Picture: 2GB
No one was injured. Picture: 2GB
Police prosecutor Sergeant Andrew Maldigri opposed the move, saying there was insufficient evidence to show Mr Teplin was mentally unwell or impaired.
The court was told the accused man told police: 'I know I'm going to get bail like always' and also suggested he was a 'consultant for Legal Aid Queensland'.
'That to me suggests he's not mentally ill.. He's lucid enough to understand his situation,' Sergeant Maldigri argued.
The presiding magistrate disagreed, pointing to Mr Teplin's 'unusual' alleged behaviour at both the airport and train station and 'bizarre' comments recorded in police fact sheets.
'Mr Teplin I'm sending you to hospital for assessment if you not found to be mentally ill, you'll be brought back before the court,' the magistrate said.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short
According to AFP Acting Commander Scott Raven, an investigation has been launched into the cause of the firearm discharge.
'The AFP is investigating the circumstances around the discharge of the weapon however the alleged actions of this man and aggressiveness towards police created a volatile situation,' he said.
'The AFP does not tolerate antisocial or aggressive behaviour at airports and our aviation officers acted swiftly after receiving a request for assistance from an airline,' a/Cmdr Raven said.'
Read related topics: Sydney Airport
Liam Beatty
Journalist
Liam Beatty is a court reporter with NCA NewsWire. He has previously worked in newsrooms in Victoria and Western Australia.
Liam Beatty