Danny James Ridley charged with stealing Bondi terror attack victim’s camera

A man allegedly stole $35,000 worth of camera equipment from photographer Peter Meagher, after he was killed in the Bondi Beach terror attack, according to court documents.

Police allege detectives noticed Mr Meagher’s camera equipment had been stolen in the aftermath of the December 14 massacre that claimed the lives of 15 innocent people.

Officers then searched a Marayong home in Sydney’s northwest in May and arrested Danny James Ridley, 35, who police allege was also a photographer at the Hanukkah event.

Mr Ridley appeared on Monday for the first time before Blacktown Local Court, where his lawyer indicated he would enter a plea on the next court occasion.

Police allege Mr Ridley stole Mr Meagher’s camera equipment before pawning it days later.

During their search of the home, police allegedly found a camera, handcuffs and electronic devices.

Officers allegedly also found a small amount of “white crystal powder” inside a car.

Mr Ridley was charged with larceny of an item worth more than $2000, disposing of stolen property, producing false information to a licensee, possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit, and supplying and possessing a prohibited drug.

Danny James Ridley leaves Blacktown Local Court, charged with stealing the camera of a Bondi terror attack victim.

Court documents allege Mr Ridley stole property worth $35,000, including a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV digital camera with an attached battery, lens, flash and memory card from Mr Meagher.

The alleged act took place in just an 11-minute timeframe between 7.04pm and 7.15pm on December 14, the documents claimed.

Two days before Christmas Mr Ridley allegedly disposed of the camera gear, knowing it was stolen property, the documents continued.

Mr Ridley is also accused of possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit on the night of the Bondi attack, as well as on a May date this year, again at Bondi Beach.

Methamphetamine was named as the drug that Mr Ridley allegedly possessed and supplied.

Mr Meagher has been remembered as a celebrated member of the eastern suburbs rugby community by those close to him.

He spent nearly a decade managing Randwick Rugby Club’s first grade side following his near 40-year career in the NSW Police Force.

Mr Meagher is survived by his wife Virginia and his brothers Greg, David, Andrew and Paul.

On April 14, Randwick memorialised Mr Meagher in a “Marzo Memorial Round” against Eastern Suburbs rugby club.

Meanwhile, Mr Ridley strode quickly past a media scrum outside court on Monday morning as he was peppered with questions but offered no comment.

He will next appear in court on July 22 at Waverley Local Court.

His bail is to continue.