Dead Criminals supporters attack cameraman

Mourning ... friends comfort Narelle Rayward, centre, as she leaves her son Dylan's funeral. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

Funeral cameraman attacked
March 04, 2005
From: AAP
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12439605-1242,00.html


A TV cameraman was attacked by at least two men following the funeral today of a teenager killed in a police pursuit in Sydney.
Channel 7 cameraman Brad Smith, 29, told Macquarie Fields police he had confronted a man in his 20s urinating on the network's van, parked near the crash site.

A fight followed in which Mr Smith said he was punched in the head before a second man threw a bottle at him from close range, hitting him on the elbow.
Mr Smith's had a deep cut on an elbow that would require stitches, ambulance staff said.
"I want to press charges," Mr Smith told police after the incident, which happened about 2pm.
Mr Smith said he feared more men would come to the scene if he fought his attacker.
The man "came out swinging" after shirt-fronting him at the vehicle, he said.
"He attempted to get me in a headlock and punched me in the head," Mr Smith said.
"The second guy, I think, picked up a beer bottle and threw it at me at close range.
"I thought if I fought back and punched him, the other guys would come over."
The network's camera crews were changing shift when the incident occurred.
A window of the vehicle was also smashed.
Earlier, a female mourner had confronted the media, saying: "It's not a show. You've made it a side show, it's not ... get in your cars and go.
"No one asked you to come here. You're as welcome as the police."

The woman also threatened to "throw a rock" at broadcasting equipment.
About 150 friends and relatives of 17-year-old Dylan Rayward attended his funeral at Forest Lawn Crematorium in south-west suburban Leppington this morning.

Mr Rayward and 19-year-old Matthew Robertson were killed when a car crashed into a tree during a short police chase in Macquarie Fields last Friday night.
The death of the teenagers sparked four straight nights of rioting in Macquarie Fields earlier this week.
A total of 31 people have been charged with 87 offences following the riots.
The alleged driver of the car, 20-year-old Jesse Kelly, is still in hiding.

Police agreed not to attend the teenager's funeral after locals warned them to stay away.
Team-mates from the local rugby league football team formed a guard of honour at Mr Rayward's service.
During the funeral Mr Rayward's coach referred to him as a "champion bloke" and a "very special kid", saying "the only way he knew to go was straight and hard".
Mr Robertson will be buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Wednesday.