A Canadian citizen is unable to face court over allegations he tried to open an emergency door on an international flight because he hopped on another flight back home.
Another passenger noticed the 33-year-old allegedly attempting to open the doors and pulled him away, according to police.
Airline staff moved Mann to the back of the plane and monitored him for the remainder of the 15-hour flight.
He was arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with doing an act that threatens the safety of those on board and tampering with an aircraft endangering safety.
Mann pleaded not guilty to the charges and was expected to face a hearing in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday.
But he couldn’t attend court because he had flown back to Canada while on bail and was having trouble re-entering Australia due to the charges, his lawyer said.
“He’s ready to come back to defend this case but unfortunately, through no fault of his own, he’s stuck over in Canada,” Mann’s lawyer told the court.
Asked why Mann had been granted bail to travel internationally, his lawyer replied the case against his client was “hopeless”.
The characterisation was rejected by a lawyer for the Commonwealth, who noted Mann had only begun to attempt to organise travel back to Australia in February.
He opposed an adjournment but acknowledged it was important for Mann to be present for the proceedings.
The magistrate set the hearing down for December 5 and ordered the Canadian to attend.
Mann was granted bail after providing a surety of $20,000 which will be forfeited if he fails to attend court when required.
