Police withdraw forest protest charges against NBN journalist Alison Paul at Coffs Harbour court
All charges against a prominent Coffs news reporter have been dumped after she flagged a court fight, and said she suffered “a number of injuries” during her arrest.
Coffs Harbour
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NBN television journalist Alison Paul planned to contest charges stemming from an anti-logging protest in the Orara East State Forest – but in the end she didn’t have to.
The prosecution withdrew two charges against Ms Paul at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday.
Ms Paul, 49, of Coffs Harbour was at Coffs Harbour Court House earlier in the day, but not present when her case was mentioned and took a dramatic turn.
The allegations against Ms Paul stemmed from an anti-logging protest in the Orara East State Forest.
She spoke outside court in early August and said a family member was in the area when the protest was taking place on July 5
Ms Paul pleaded not guilty and said she went to support family – not as a journalist or protester.
“I was present at Orara East State Forest on Tuesday, 5th July after receiving information that (a family member) was caught up in a protest against logging,” she said.
Ms Paul spoke of a “miscommunication” with police, said she suffered “a number of injuries” and that she was “extremely disappointed”.
On Wednesday, police prosecutor Heidi Warren told the court she sought to withdraw the charges – hindering or resisting police and failing to comply with a request made by police.
Earlier, Ms Paul said her lawyer was making representations to police to have the charges thrown out.
Magistrate Peter Barnett dismissed both charges.
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