‘Sovereign citizen’ claims he is a dead entity in Geelong court

A ‘sovereign citizen’ plans to challenge the Geelong Magistrate Court’s jurisdiction over a minor speeding charge, citing he is “not a person”.

Craig Gouldstrom fronted court after he was pinged by a speed camera.

A “sovereign citizen” declared he was a “dead entity who cannot speak” and requested a hearing over a small speeding charge to challenge the court’s jurisdiction.

New South Wales man Craig Gouldstrom fronted the Geelong Magistrates Court via video link facing a single charge of speeding more than 10 km/h but less than 25 km/h in a 60 zone.

He began his court appearance by declaring he was acting as the estate of Mr Craig Gouldstrom, proclaiming Mr Gouldstrom was a “dead entity”.

“I am not a person,” he said.

“It is my world to define the word person.”

Judicial registrar Micheal Bolte rejected this notion.

He said Mr Gouldstrom, of Birmingham Gardens, must appear before the court and he would not allow an “estate” to act for him.

He accused Mr Bolte of “attempting to coerce” him to become Craig Gouldstrom before relenting and identifying as Mr Gouldstrom.

“I will say then, who you say I am,” he said.

Mr Gouldstrom then requested to have the speeding charge entirely withdrawn by the prosecution.

“I do not wish to offer a plea.”

Mr Bolte once again pushed him, saying not offering a plea is a not guilty plea and the matter will go to a contest hearing.

A not guilty plea was entered for Mr Gouldstrom.

He said he plans to contest the speeding charge, which was captured by a traffic camera, by calling a traffic camera operator and the police officer who charged him to give evidence.

He was granted a contested hearing to refute the speeding charge.

“I have plenty of evidence,” he told the court.

“I will be challenging the court’s jurisdiction.”

Mr Gouldstrom will next appear before the Geelong Magistrates Court on June 12 for a contested hearing.

Originally published as ‘Sovereign citizen’ claims he is a dead entity in Geelong court