Gay wedding expo crasher in court over threats

A man alleged to have smashed glasses and threatened people with a Maori patu at a gay wedding expo has appeared in court this morning.

Alexander David Course, 46, from Waikaretu, Waikato, faced three charges in Auckland District Court, including having an offensive weapon in a public place.

He allegedly gatecrashed the Gay Wedding Show at Ellerslie Event Centre last Sunday, smashing a stall and threatening exhibitors and customers, with pages of the Bible pinned to his chest.

Cameron George, chief executive of the Auckland Race Club, which runs the racecourse and event centre, said he was aware of the incident, which he described as a public disturbance.

"There was an incident last Sunday, the police were called and they handled it from there in," he said.

Mr George said staff at the centre had acted swiftly in calling the police to protect punters, and officers removed the man from the venue.

Course is charged with intentionally destroying a decorative margarita glass, containing $100 worth of strawberries, 20 shot glasses and a cash register with reckless disregard for the safety of the owner; having an offensive weapon in a public place; and intimidating conduct.

He will appear in court again later this month.