Lawson

By Kelly Yates
A NARRE Warren man handed himself over to police this week in connection with an alleged involvement in a riot in Oakleigh on Friday night.
Maxwell Brett Lawson was charged with riotous behaviour, affray and criminal damage in an out-of-sessions court hearing at the Narre Warren police station on Monday night.
He presented himself at the Narre Warren police station around 2.30pm on Monday.
During the out-of-sessions court hearing, the 21-year-old said he was fuelled by alcohol on the night.
Detective Senior Constable Scott MacDonald told the hearing that the peaceful protest at the cancellation of an Easternats car race turned “ugly and the crowd became unruly” after a flare was thrown at a police car.
Det Sen Const MacDonald said Lawson threw a tyre rim into the window of a nearby Bob Jane T-Mart and helped overturn a ute.
He claijmed that Lawson made full admission.
“Friday night was fuelled by alcohol and anger and everything else. I know it’s no excuse,” Lawson said.
He told the hearing he had been “packing bricks” since the weekend.
“I am trying to prove that I am not a heartless person and someone that doesn’t care,” said Lawson, who has a two-year-old daughter.
Det Sen Const MacDonald said Lawson was seen in footage at the riot, which has an estimated damage bill of around $50,000.
The 21-year-old was remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning.
Police have also charged two 19-year-old men, Jordan Black of Carrum Downs and Jack Corben from Seaford, with riotous behaviour, affray and criminal damage. All three men will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 27 July.