‘You have no authority over me’: Scott McCann faces court for allegedly carrying knife and denying drug test

A man charged with refusing a drug test told police he was a child of God and believes police and the courts have no authority over him.

Scott McCann has faced court for carrying a knife and refusing a drug test

A Christies Beach man who told police he was a “child of God” has asked a magistrate to prove how she has authority over him.

Scott McCann, 27, pleaded not guilty in the Christies Beach Magistrates court on Monday to failing to comply with direction of a police officer and carrying an offensive article at night.

The court heard McCann was pulled over by police at Lonsdale on September 9 and allegedly refused to follow their directions.

“He simply declined to provide a sample of breath, he also refused to open his driver door or get out of the vehicle,” a police prosecutor said.

“His reason for committing the offence was that he said he was a child of God and police have no authority over him.”

The court heard a search of McCann also revealed a folding knife in his pocket.

When asked by Magistrate Teresa Anderson why he had told police they had no authority over him, McCann asked repeatedly if he was a man.

“I would like to ask you, am I not a man?” McCann said.

“That’s the third time I’ve asked you so I’m going to answer for you, I am indeed a man, a living man.

“I’d like to see how you have authority over me as a living man.

“Can you provide me with evidence that you have authority over a living man?”

Ms Anderson said she understood McCann had a set of beliefs that led him to believe he was not guilty.

“Magistrates don’t usually answer questions that are a little bit stupid,” she said.

“I’m not going to get myself involved in that debate with you but you’re welcome to read a number of criminal cases that address that beliefs that you hold that clearly establish that a court does have authority over you and that the law applies to you.”

McCann will attend court again in December for pre-trial negotiations.