Ashley Charles Watson was found guilty of being a public nuisance and obstructing police
A military veteran who was pepper sprayed during an anti-Covid mandate protest at a shopping centre tried to argue the police response went too far.
Police & Courts
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A military veteran who was pepper sprayed during an anti Covid mandate protest at a Mackay shopping centre repeatedly yelled at police “you work for me”.
Ashley Charles Watson failed to substantiate claims the officers had been acting outside the parameters of their duty after he was refused entry to Caneland Central.
Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said “ignorance of the law is no defence” after finding Watson guilty to being a public nuisance and obstructing police on January 22, 2022.
The 38 year old was among a group of people who had been protesting the vaccination mandates – the rally began at Bluewater Quay before a large number began marching and converged at the Matsuura Dr entrance of the shopping centre.
Mackay Magistrates Court heard security guards tried to prevent the group from entering the privately-owned centre, but some members had opened fire escape doors.
As a result children who at been at the centre were separated from their parents and police were called.
Footage of the incident revealed an officer pushing Watson back and telling him he was not allowed to enter the centre, as he repeatedly yelled “you work for me” as well as “you don’t have the authority” and “you’re assaulting me” at the officer.
During the clash Watson was hit with pepper spray and he argued this had been outside the confines of acceptable behaviour for a police officer as there had been no clear and concise instructions.
The court heard Watson, who had believed there was no authority preventing him from being at Caneland Central, had also argued police had deliberately tried to provoke a reaction out of him that day.
Ms Hartigan rejected his case finding police conduct “was entirely appropriate in the circumstances”.
This follows a recently case where Sean Thomas Brandon, who was also a part of the same protest, was found not guilty of serious assault police, being a public nuisance and obstructing police, in relation to different police officers.
Ms Hartigan said she wanted to be clear she made her findings based on the evidence specific to this case and not on the actions of others on that day.
“You weren’t violent and you haven’t been charged with any violence,” Ms Hartigan said, labelling the incident as “emotionally charged”.
Watson, who is unvaccinated, told the court “with the mandates, I’m clearly against them”.
“Everybody should be entitled to body autonomy,” he said.
The court heard he had previously been with the Royal Australian Navy.
“I can see your convictions are strong and you’re not a bad person,” Ms Hartigan said.
“Being veteran … you have strong feelings about serving the community, the country.
“Unfortunately things got out of hand on this day and here you are.”
Ms Hartigan told Watson that as someone who suffered from PTSD he should not be involved in this type of conduct.
“You need to stay away from these sorts of things,” she said.
“It is just not good for your mental health.”
He was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service within the next 12 months and convictions were recorded.
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