Joshua Regan Noakes: Albany man arrested outside Albany Courthouse on outstanding warrant for nine DV charges

An Albany man with an outstanding arrest warrant for nine family violence offences was arrested on Thursday outside the courthouse after fronting on a separate charge. Joshua Regan Noakes appeared in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to breaching a family violence restraining order. Noakes, who appeared without representation, asked the court to sentence him but police prosecutor Sgt Matt Hartfield asked for the matter be stood down, pointing to the 23-year-old’s outstanding arrest warrant for nine other family violence matters. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell stood the matter down temporarily and police officers waiting outside the courthouse arrested Noakes as soon as he exited the building. Noakes reappeared in custody later that day on all 10 charges represented by Legal Aid lawyer Wendy Stewart. Ms Stewart said Noakes wished to plead guilty to the remaining nine charges and be sentenced but Ms O’Donnell adjourned the matters to a later date due to the full court list. Ms Stewart said her client had no prior convictions and was “extremely afraid of going to prison”. She also said that he was homeless after his mother took out a family violence restraining order against him. Ms O’Donnell adjourned the matters to September 12 for sentencing and did not consider bail. If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.