Bondi Rescue star Andrew Reid puts on a brave face at the beach after he was charged with domestic violence – as an insider lifts the lid on how the celebrity lifeguard is coping
EXCLUSIVE
Celebrity lifeguard Andrew Reid has taken to the water after it emerged that he has been charged with a string of domestic violence offences.
The Bondi Rescue star, known as ‘Reidy’, put on a brave face as he was seen paddle-boarding with a friend and two children in North Bondi.
He appeared relaxed and even smiled during the Thursday afternoon surf, but an insider revealed to Daily Mail Australia it’s been a traumatic year for 45-year-old.
Just six months ago, he was hailed a hero after he rushed to the aid of injured victims who were stabbed in the deadly Westfield Bondi Junction massacre that claimed six lives.
‘It’s been a very difficult time for him – particularly after what happened in April,’ the source said.
‘He’s utterly devoted to his kids and community and just focusing on them right now.’
In court documents seen by Daily Mail Australia, three alleged incidents are at the centre of the court case, which Reid has pleaded not guilty to.
One assault charge relates to an alleged incident in November 2022, while the other allegedly took place in January 2024, over a 15 minute period.
Celebrity lifeguard Andrew Reid has taken to the water after it emerged that he has been charged with a string of domestic violence offences
The Bondi Rescue star, known as ‘Reidy’, put on a brave face as he was seen paddle-boarding with a friend and two children in North Bondi
Just six months ago, Mr Reid was hailed a hero after he rushed to the aid of injured victims who were stabbed in the deadly Westfield Bondi Junction massacre that claimed six lives
Andrew Reid appeared relaxed and even smiled during the Thursday afternoon surf
Police allege a further charge of occasioning actual bodily harm (DV) occurred on March 24.
A fourth domestic violence charge has been dismissed.
The allegations relate to the same woman, who’s listed as a protected person under an apprehended domestic violence order against Reid.
His high-profile defence barrister Margaret Cunneen SC, said the charges will be ‘vigorously defended’ by Reid.
‘There are three very disparate allegations with a long time in between all, of which on the defence case, could be accounted for by an accident,’ she told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Reid, who has starred on the hit TV show Bondi Rescue since it first aired in 2006, has patrolled the iconic beach for more than two decades.
He made global headlines for his bravery earlier this year, when a mass stabbing attack unfolded in front of him.
The lifeguard was shopping for a new bed in Myer when a frantic retail worker told him ‘people are being stabbed’ and ‘the building is being evacuated’.
Mr Reid had been locked behind a safety door before he convinced a security guard to let him slip beneath the door to help a woman who was bleeding.
‘There was a lady… and there was just blood everywhere,’ he told Nine News.
‘I realised I had to go and help because that’s what we’re trained to do as lifeguards.’
Andrew Reid has starred on Bondi Rescue since the series first aired in 2006
Paramedics are seen with stretchers outside the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall after a stabbing incident in Sydney on April 13, 2024
Joel Cauchi is pictured during his murderous rampage
The knifeman, Joel Cauchi, was eventually shot dead at the scene by a police officer
He and two other members of the public gave the woman first aid, along with police officers.
‘I have never seen so much blood… we were just looking for wounds, trying to stem the bleeding,’ he said.
‘As I looked up there were multiple victims about 50m apart. The lady next to us was in a really bad way – there were others working on her.’
Once Reid had helped to stabilise the woman, he continued to move through the shopping centre to help others.
‘I saw police needed help with the other lady so I started doing compressions on her. I don’t think she made it,’ he said.
‘Then I went to help the next victim and saw an empty pram. I have three young kids and just though oh my God.’
While Reid is no stranger to life and death situations, he admitted he’s never experienced anything so traumatic.
‘I have seen some pretty gnarly stuff after working for 20 years on the beach, but nothing like this.’
The knifeman, Joel Cauchi, was eventually shot dead at the scene by a police officer.
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