NO REGRETS

VANDAL SAYS STATUE IS A STAIN ON OUR MORAL COMPASS

A POLITICAL activist who defaced the statue of colonial-era slave trader Robert Towns in the CBD has defended his actions, saying he has no regrets at all.

Peter John Wright, 41, was fined $500 and ordered to pay $404.45 restitution in Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday for using red paint to vandalise the bronze statue.

Magistrate Ken Taylor condemned the act saying Wright needed to express his views in a way that did not damage public property. Outside the court Mr Wright said he thought the statue was a stain on the moral compass of Townsville and it was important to stand up for what you believed in.

A POLITICAL activist who defaced the statue of a colonial-era slave trader in the Townsville CBD has defended his actions, saying he had no regrets at all.

Peter John Wright, 41, was convicted by his own plea of guilty in the Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday after he used red paint to vandalise a bronze statue of Robert Towns in June this year.

Towns helped found the city and has been linked to the practice of blackbirding where Pacific Islanders were kidnapped and forced to work for little or no pay in the 19th century.

Wright and another person covered the statue’s hands in red paint and stencilled the words “slave trader” on a plaque attached to the icon.

Prosecutor Tasman Murphy told the court CCTV footage captured Wright and another person walking towards the statue and spending some time there before they left the area.

When police caught up with Wright he told officers the act of illegal street art represented that Towns had “blood on his hands”.

“He stated it was a protest against racial discrimination and having someone who was a slave trader honoured in the CBD,” Mr Murphy said.

“He knew it was against the law but that he felt the need to speak out.”

Wright never revealed the identity of the other person involved.

Duty lawyer Tracey Brown said Wright was a full-time carer for his elderly father and helped support three children.

Magistrate Ken Taylor fined Wright $500 and ordered he pay $404.45 restitution to the Townsville City Council.

Magistrate Taylor condemned the act, saying it showed a degree of planning and forethought.

“You said at the time that it was not mindless vandalism, I beg to differ,” he said.

“You are free to have your own views but you need to express them in a way that does not damage public property.”

Speaking with the Bulletin outside court, Wright questioned the sentence, saying he was confused the court could consider his actions both mindless vandalism and premeditated.

Mr Wright said he thought the statue in the CBD was a stain on the moral compass of Townsville.

“It is important to stand up for what you believe in,” he said.