A man has been apprehended again after passengers dramatically tackled him during a chaotic incident at Brisbane Airport. He’s now back in custody, following a lighthearted two-word caution from a magistrate.
Djon James Bland appeared through a video link from the Capricornia Correctional Center and is currently serving a nine-month sentence for other charges handed down by the Mackay Magistrates Court.
The 26-year-old had initially been released on bail after an incident at the domestic terminal on May 15.
Footage from the scene captured Bland, dressed in a white T-shirt and wearing a lime-green scooter helmet, thrashing around and yelling as staff and fellow passengers attempted to restrain him. Eventually, another passenger tackled him to the ground.
He was detained by a federal police officer approximately 15 minutes later.
Eyewitnesses noted that the situation escalated when Bland was informed he couldn’t board his next flight at Gate 45.
Brisbane Airport and Virgin Australia expressed their gratitude to those who intervened.
During a court appearance, there was some confusion about the charges against Bland.
Prosecutors clarified that he now faces two new charges of public nuisance and assault causing physical harm, replacing earlier allegations of public nuisance and general assaults reported by medical professionals.
Before the clarification, Bland contested the new charges, arguing for their dismissal.
“A good attempt,” the magistrate responded.
Bland mentioned he hadn’t yet informed his lawyer about his case, saying, “If I had the simple evidence… I could do the case today.”
When asked if he was acting in prison, he chuckled and replied, “Yeah, I’m the best.”
The magistrate advised him with a humorous, “Don’t fly – drive to Brisbane,” for his next court appearance.
Though he was granted bail to address the updated charges, he will remain in custody for unrelated matters until his release date on August 23. The case is set to return to Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 11.
