A man from Victoria, Cleophias Machaya, has been accused of offensive behavior following an incident that drew police attention in Bondi Junction, Sydney. Officers from Operation Shelter responded to reports of suspicious conduct in the area.

According to a lawyer representing the NSW Police, Machaya was spotted wearing a puffer jacket over a weighted vest at around 10:10 p.m. last night, while he was inquiring about the location of Bondi Beach.

However, during a court session, the police prosecutor acknowledged that senior officials were considering dropping the case against Machaya.

The lawyer representing Machaya, who hails from Victoria, confirmed that an agreement was reached indicating that his client might soon be exonerated.

“I have received a written indication that the charges raising the most significant concerns are likely to be dropped,” stated Liam McKibbin, Machaya’s attorney, during the bail hearing today.

Prior to this development, the 33-year-old, who has no prior criminal history, was visibly distressed, crying and shaking his head as the prosecution presented its case.

“I just made a mistake,” Machaya said, before his lawyer advised him not to speak.

After hearing he would be allowed to leave custody straight away, Machaya clasped his hands together and said “thank you” repeatedly.

Machaya was granted bail on the condition he will not be allowed to re-enter NSW unless it is for future court hearings.

“You need to get in your car and leave the state,” Mr McKibbin told his client.

A picture of the vest presented to the court showed a camouflage-coloured weighted vest with silver duct tape haphazardly wrapped around areas that would have laid on the wearer’s chest and back.

Though Machaya had said he was wearing the weighted vest to train for mixed martial arts, the prosecution said his actions raised significant alarm and magistrate Margaret Quinn added it was “most unusual”.

“To go around with a camouflage vest in a place where there’s been severe distress to people is extraordinary,” she told the court on Monday.

A few kilometres away at Bondi Beach, thousands had gathered to commemorate the 15 people killed when two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration in mid-December.

Heavy police presence surrounded the event as locals and members of the religious community marked the Jewish period of mourning.

Given the circumstances, the police lawyer argued Machaya’s intention was to cause fear.

Police searched his car, where they allegedly found another duct-taped vest, a face mask and a tin believed to contain prohibited drugs.

Both vests were later deemed safe after being examined by bomb disposal unit officers.

The weighted vest that first raised alarms has since been destroyed, which means there is no risk of causing any further alarm, Mr McKibbin said.

Machaya will return to court on February 9.

Operation Shelter was established in 2023 to address anti-Semitism and other hate crimes.