Michael John Skinner guilty of driving offences after chaotic court hearing

A self-proclaimed ‘Archangel Michael’ and ‘sovereign citizen’ brought a metal bar to ‘fight the devil’ in a Queensland courtroom.

Michael John Skinner at Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

Security was called to the Kingaroy Magistrates Court on Thursday after a man who rambled about the devil and referred to himself as “Archangel Michael” attempted to bring a metal “tool” into the courtroom.

Michael John Skinner was charged with driving an unregistered vehicle and driving while a drug was present in his system and represented himself during a hearing.

The court was told on December 27, 2023, at about 3.13pm, Skinner was driving a blue Toyota sedan in Kingaroy before police pulled him over for a registration check.

Police also conducted a roadside drug test, which came back positive.

After taking him to the Kingaroy police station, he provided another saliva test that tested positive for cannabis.

Michael John Skinner at Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

Before the hearing began, security was called to the courthouse to remove a metal “tool” from Skinner.

Police officer Seymour Brendan, who was called as a witness, also confronted Skinner about the metal bar.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Lisa Manns told the magistrate that it had been removed from him.

Skinner said the metal bar was an “iron rod” to “fight the devil’s crap,” before Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said it was not permitted in the courtroom.

As Sergeant Manns began her opening statement, Skinner constantly interrupted her, often rambling about God, the devil, and armageddon, and at times slamming his hand on a bible he brought into the courtroom.

“I’m here to destroy the legal system … I’m here to sort out the world,” Skinner said.

A frustrated Magistrate Sinclair warned Skinner to stop interrupting or he would be removed, and the hearing would take place in his absence.

Michael John Skinner at the Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

Police body-worn camera footage was played in court, where Skinner opted for the entire hour of footage to be played.

However, he appeared to lose interest in the video and moved to a seat where he couldn’t view the screen.

The video showed Skinner being pulled over and detained after he failed a roadside saliva test before being taken back to the station for another saliva test.

During the video, Mr Brendan asked Skinner if he had read up on the outcomes of “sovereign citizens” who go through the courts, to which Skinner replied that he hadn’t.

“Everyone’s screwed up on the system,” Skinner said during the video.

Michael John Skinner at Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

After Skinner opted out of providing any evidence in his defence, Mr Sinclair was satisfied the evidence from the prosecution proved the charges and found him guilty of both charges.

Skinner appeared irritated and began speaking directly to Sgt Manns.

“The prosecutor plays the part of Satan … I’m not calling you Satan, I’m telling you what part you act,” Skinner said.

“You’re all actors, hypocrites … that’s the truth and you can’t handle the truth,” he said.

Magistrate Sinclair fined Skinner $1300 for both offences and disqualified him from holding a licence for three months.

“He’s shown no remorse and doesn’t believe the law applies to him,” Magistrate Sinclair said.

Convictions were recorded.