A Ballina man filmed screaming “get off me” during a viral airport arrest has been sentenced after three clashes with police in seven months. Dramatic footage of the Ballina airport arrest showed five officers struggling to restrain him before forcing him into a police wagon.
Braden Hardy, 38, appeared from custody by video link before Judge K Crittenden at Ballina Local Court on Wednesday.
Court documents revealed Hardy had an extensive criminal history across NSW and Queensland, including a history of violence and previous prison sentences.
He was also on bail in NSW and subject to an outstanding Queensland warrant when the airport confrontation occurred.
Viral airport arrest
The arrest unfolded at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport on August 31.
According to the police facts, Hardy forced open an airport door and broke its lock, causing about $500 damage.
Officers searched him and issued a six-hour move-on direction covering the terminal and car park.
When Hardy attempted to return towards the terminal, police placed him under arrest.
Hardy wrestled with officers and was taken to the ground, where he struck a senior constable in the face with a torch, causing abrasions and bleeding.
He continued kicking, grabbing officers and pulling his arms into his body as they tried to restrain him.
Three bursts of capsicum spray were used before additional officers helped handcuff Hardy. Substantial force was then required to secure him inside the police vehicle.
Previous clashes with police
Hardy’s earlier clashes with police began in the early hours of February 4, when officers noticed him sitting in a car in the middle of the road in Osprey Place, East Ballina.
He drove away as officers approached and continued along Chickiba Drive despite police directing him to stop.
Hardy eventually pulled into the East Ballina Shopping Centre car park, where checks revealed he was driving while disqualified. His P-plates were found in the back seat instead of being displayed.
Seven weeks later, police were called to the Australian Hotel in Ballina after an intoxicated Hardy repeatedly refused staff directions to leave.
Hardy became increasingly aggressive when officers arrived, prompting them to use capsicum spray before handcuffing and arresting him.
Twelve months behind bars
For the airport incident, Hardy was sentenced for assaulting a police officer and causing actual bodily harm and for damaging airport property. A move-on breach attracted no additional punishment, while charges involving a knife, resisting police and using an offensive weapon were withdrawn.
For the East Ballina incident, he was sentenced for failing to stop when directed. Driving while disqualified and failing to display P-plates attracted no additional punishment, although Hardy was banned from driving for four months.
Hardy was also sentenced for resisting police at the Australian Hotel. His Community Correction Order for these charges was cancelled and the offence was included in the final jail term.
His sentences for assaulting the officer, damaging airport property, resisting police at the Australian Hotel and failing to stop his vehicle were combined into a single jail term.
The court found special circumstances when setting Hardy’s non-parole period, referring in its orders to “Bugmy features”. The term concerns the effects of childhood deprivation, trauma or social disadvantage, although no details of Hardy’s circumstances were disclosed.
Hardy was sentenced to 12 months in jail, backdated to August 31, 2026, with a seven-month non-parole period.
He is due to be released on parole on March 30, 2027. His sentence expires on August 30, 2027.
READ THE ORIGINAL STORY: Ballina man remains in custody after dramatic airport arrest