Gympie Bypass protesters arrested in courtroom mayhem
A screaming protester charged at a Magistrate’s computer as an angry crowd, rallying against a Bruce Highway bypass route at Gympie, unleashed abuse, and claims of genocide and police brutality in court.
Police & Courts
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There was mayhem in the Gympie court on Monday when protesters in a packed public gallery went rogue, screaming abuse and allegations of fraud and “genocide” at Magistrates Chris Callaghan.
One even sprinted across the courtroom and was arrested.
Protesters opposed to the impact of the Bruce Highway Bypass on the Gympie “pyramid” site filled the Gympie Magistrates Court to support a group of people facing charges stemming from an alleged clash with police at the site in late 2021.
Cheryl May Tomlinson was one of several protesters charged following the October 2021 incident.
Ms Tomlinson represented herself on Monday and asked the court for a form of directions hearing regarding a disclosure of evidence. Her matter was adjourned to September 22, 2022.
Diane Patricia Redden-King represented herself and several other protesters, including Dawn Myrtle Tomlinson, Jeffrey Albert Lang Cranston, Paul David Jukes, Jason Edward Quick and Zachariah John Monaghan.
She told the court the group wanted the highway bypass construction machinery stopped on “our women’s land”. Mr Callaghan told her to direct that matter to the Supreme Court, and it was adjourned to September 22, 2022.
Several people standing in the public gallery then began demanding the machinery be stopped. Mr Callaghan said he did not have the power to do that, and that the group needed to redirect its request to the higher court.
The group then started to shout at the court, one person demanding Mr Callaghan be arrested.
“Last time I saw this impostor, I placed him under arrest and he fled the scene,” they shouted, calling the magistrate “the dishonourable Callaghan”.
“I give you the direction to be quiet now, and leave the courtroom otherwise you will be arrested,” Mr Callaghan said.
But the shouting continued.
Two police officers then entered the courtroom and arrested one of the men in the public gallery, triggering louder shouting and screaming from the group.
Claims of a “kangaroo court,” declaring the arrest was assault and demands to stop rose from the spectators.
“They are bashing him up,” they screamed.
Banging echoed around the courtroom from the door near the dock where the arrested man had been taken. Several protesters joined in the banging.
“I give you all a direction to stop this noise,” Mr Callaghan said.
The shouting from the public gallery escalated once again.
“You are not working under truth. There is no truth or law in this court,” a spectator called out.
At that point, Mr Callaghan adjourned the court and left the room.
A shaken Gympie Times reporter was pulled over the banister of the public gallery by the prosecutor and taken to safety at the opposite end of courtroom.
A spectator demanded to know where the magistrate was.
Another spectator sprinted across the courtroom towards the bench and began to operate Mr Callaghan’s computer.
She was arrested, triggering the spectators to scream to police to not touch her.
“We are all witnesses to genocide,” one shouted.
“This is wildly unlawful. Do you understand what law is?”
The protesters eventually left the courtroom and stood outside for the remainder of the day, while the court remained closed to the public.
Police also maintained a presence.
The arrested man and woman later appeared from custody.
Karen Lynn Adams, aged 58, was charged with contravening a police direction and two counts of obstructing police.
Ms Adams pleaded not guilty and will appear again on August 8, 2022. She was released on bail on the condition she not go to the Gympie court unless she has matters before the court.
Cameron Max Hewitt, 30, also appeared in custody, claiming Mr Callaghan had committed fraud and genocide.
Mr Hewitt was told he had been charged with obstructing police and disobeying a lawful direction of the court without lawful excuse on June 27, 2022.
“Does no one accept my counterclaim? I can’t accept this. You know that,” Mr Hewitt responded.
“You’re living in la la land,” Mr Callaghan said.
Mr Hewitt was remanded in custody to July 4, 2022, and for a “review” on August 8, 2022.
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