A university climate change researcher accused of keying expensive cars as he cycled by has made a wild dash from court.
John Anthony Lyons, 51, hid behind a hoodie and a mask as he sprinted down the street in a bid to avoid reporters outside Brisbane Arrest Court on Wednesday.
He allegedly keyed a number of cars while cycling through Woolloongabba, Kangaroo Point and New Farm, in south-east Queensland, between September 2023 and May 2024.
Lyons was charged with eight counts of wilful damage on June 19.
He appeared in court unrepresented, telling the Magistrate Louise Shephard that he would like an adjournment ‘to get legal advice’, according to The Courier Mail.
The matter was adjourned until August 7 and his bail was extended.
The PhD student from the Queensland University of Technology is researching how to protect Antarctica from climate change.
The publication reported Lyons hid inside the Brisbane Arrests Court for four hours before exiting the building and running from waiting media.
One of Lyons’ alleged victims, Glenn Maymann, highlighted the irony of the researcher’s alleged acts.
‘If he’s out to save the planet, well, all those resprays and panel beating jobs…’ he told 7News.
CCTV footage has been released of a man using keys or a similar item to scratch a black Holden Colorado parked in the street.
In another clip he was allegedly seen pushing his bicycle along the footpath with one hand and keying a car with the other.
Lyons left court wearing a pair of blue jeans, a black hoodie and a pair of black and white sneakers.
He is yet to enter a plea.
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