Legal-aid lawyer Lorelei Billing racially abused in Ingham Magistrates Court

A well-regarded North Queensland legal-aid lawyer was reduced to tears after she was allegedly racially vilified by an alleged stalker she was attempting to help.

A well-regarded North Queensland legal-aid lawyer was reduced to tears after she was allegedly racially vilified by an alleged stalker she was attempting to help.

And in extraordinary scenes in the Ingham Magistrates Court later on Thursday, Magistrate Peter Smid lambasted the defendant, labelling the man an “odious creature” and remanding him in jail.

Earlier that morning, an angry Robert Jason Clough, 48, was observed exiting the Ingham Court House building, looking to the heavens and then punching himself in the hand.

He told News Corp that he had had a run in with a lawyer and was cycling home for what he said was a cup of tea to “cool down”.

The man is facing one count each of failing to appear in court and possessing a drug utensil, three counts of stalking and one charge of threatening violence.

The charges extend back as far as September 2020.

Prior to court commencing at 9.30am, defence lawyer Lorelei Billing was seen in tears but it was not till later in the morning when Clough appeared on his criminal matters that the extent of the alleged abuse became known.

“I was told that you called her a n---er,” Magistrate Smid told the defendant, “and a black c--- and the word ‘dog’ was used“.

He said he had a high opinion of Ms Billing, noting that she had just been named among the most influential people in Townsville’s courts by the Townsville Bulletin.

“She’s a very, very good lawyer but that’s beside the point,” he said.

“You are an odious creature, I am disgusted, she was very upset, she came to report this to me in the presence of a prosecutor – there is something wrong with you.”

Clough said he was a Christian, which did not please Magistrate Peter Smid. Picture: Cameron Bates

Clough, who had been left speechless, then found his voice.

“I’m a Christian, your Honour.”

“Oh, yes, yes, yes. Well, I can tell you what to do with your Christianity, you can turn to your God and look and see how you behave toward somebody of a race created by your God.

“You’re a disgusting creature for the things that you’ve said to her, disgusting.”

Clough said he was getting treated badly near his home and had taken offence to being asked whether he was of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island descent.

Magistrate Smid that was a simple, standard question and told Clough that even if offence was taken he must control his language.

“You don’t engage in racial abuse, you disgusting creature.”

He said Clough was facing the prospect of being charged with public nuisance in relation to the incident.

Townsville-born Lorelei Billing is a descendant of the Quandamooka and Bundjalung nations of South East Queensland.

Magistrate Smid then turned his attention to Clough’s long-running criminal matters, saying it was apparent that he was not cooperating with his lawyers.

The defendant was remanded in custody and escorted from the court by police.

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Ingham Police confirmed they were investigating the incident but were yet to lay any additional charges.

Townsville-born Ms Billing is a descendant of the Quandamooka and Bundjalung nations of South East Queensland.

Originally published as Legal-aid lawyer Lorelei Billing racially abused in Ingham Magistrates Court