‘Sovereign’ Andrew Robert Paterson walks from court during trial over alleged illegal fish catch

A self-proclaimed sovereign with “direct lineage to Queen Victoria” threw his trial into disarray, storming out of court after disputing his own identity.

A self-proclaimed sovereign with “direct lineage to Queen Victoria” threw his trial into disarray, storming out of court after disputing his own identity – only for the trial to go ahead anyway.

Multiple Department of Agriculture and Fisheries inspectors called to give evidence in the trial of Andrew Robert Paterson were left waiting for hours after Paterson walked out – minutes after the proceedings began.

Donning a painted blue handprint across his face, and brandishing a copy of his birth certificate, the 55-year-old told Magistrate Steven Mosch he did not identify with the surname Paterson.

This argument was made despite Paterson responding to previous court summons and communications that were addressed to a mailing account containing that name, the court heard.

“You can’t force me or intimidate me to go against my religious beliefs,” Paterson said.

When asked why he was in court, Paterson simply said he wanted to “argue jurisdiction”.

“I’m not going to go down this path,” Mr Mosch said, before telling Paterson he was welcome to leave if he wished.

Packing files into a bag, Paterson proclaimed that his name was “Crown copyright”.

“I make an oath in this court of record that no one has the authority to use my name, that’s Crown property – property of the Crown,” he said.

He asked that all “debts” be sent to the Crown, before walking out of the courtroom.

After lengthy discussion as to whether the trial should continue, the proceedings pressed on.

Paterson’s charges, which included multiple counts of failing to produce documents for immediate inspection, and taking or possessing regulated fish, stemmed from an October 2020 commercial fishing trip.

Prosecutor Jackson Cranitch alleged that while on a fishing trip on October 29, 2020, Paterson did not have his commercial fishing license with him, as was required.

Department inspector Matthew Brady, who boarded the commercial fishing vessel – which was not owned by Paterson – also found multiple species of cod that were under the prescribed legal size.

Mr Brady in evidence said fines issued to Paterson in November 2020 were sent back, struck out with pen with “void” and “not applicable on Andrew Robert” written on the pages, and signed with a fingerprint.

Mr Brady said that while serving documents on Paterson in January 2022, Paterson threw the papers across his yard.

“The documents went flying over my head into the yard and he told me to take my rubbish with me,” Mr Brady said.

Hours after walking out, Paterson made a shock return to the courtroom.

He remained seated in the public gallery and watched as officers continued to give evidence.

The matter was adjourned for a decision to be handed down in October.

Originally published as ‘Sovereign’ Andrew Robert Paterson walks from court during trial over alleged illegal fish catch