Protester’s court farce

Guilty plea after asking magistrate for advice

AN environmental protester has asked the judge for advice during a farcical exchange in the Launceston Magistrates Court, reminiscent of the Australian comedy classic The Castle.

Anthony Scott Bell, 71, also produced documents he said showed he was a shareholder in the mining company MMG after pleading guilty to a trespass charge stemming from a protest over the company's proposed new tailings dam near Rosebery.

Bell appeared in court on Friday in his fourth court appearance on similar charges.

“I’m struggling with this one, the other ones have been more clear cut,” he said when asked to enter his plea.

He asked Magistrate Ken Stanton if he could provide any advice.

“My job is to decide the case, I can’t give you advice,” Magistrate Stanton said.

“Can’t you give me an indication?” Bell said.

“That would be advice,” Mr Stanton responded.

After deliberation, Bell pleaded guilty to the charge.

The exchange is reminiscent of The Castle when bumbling lawyer Dennis Denuto asks the High Court judge for “a hint”.

Bell was with a small group that took part in a protest at Helilog Rd on June 29 near the proposed site of MMG’s tailings dam. Police prosecutor Alex Pemberton said Bell and another man chained themselves to a boom gate.

They were asked to leave by MMG staff and when they didn’t, police were called.

Mr Pemberton said four of the protesters left following a police direction and officers used angle grinders to remove the men from the gate.

Bell said trucks could have easily passed through when they were chained to the gate.

In court he produced documents that he said showed he was an MMG shareholder, adding he had a “vested interest”.

He also provided documents of media reports that Resources Minister Guy Barnett had granted a mining lease to MMG along Helilog Rd, where the protest happened, without having the authority to do so.

Environmentalists had argued the mining lease, which would have given MMG access to its proposed waste facility, was an attempt to block them out and prevent them from protesting.

Bell asked if following that recent development prosecution would be reconsidering the charge. “In light of the guilty plea, I will not,” Mr Pemberton said.

Bell said the court appearances had not just a monetary cost but also a personal cost, including his front gate being spray painted and adverse comments on social media.

In sentencing, Mr Stanton said Bell had been motivated by what he saw as inaction on climate change.

He said many people may share the same view and they also needed to be deterred from breaking the law.

A conviction was recorded and he was fined $250.