Joshua Mitchell, Michael Fahey plead guilty to Grafton protest charges

Six people have had charges relating to an anti-lockdown protest in Grafton’s CBD mentioned in court. Here is where they are up to.

A Clarence Valley accountant who was charged for his alleged involvement in a Grafton lockdown protest is seeking to have the matter overturned on mental health grounds.

Joshua Allan Mitchell, 45, was among six people charged after about 100 people gathered outside Clarence Valley Council’s temporary office building in Victoria Street on August 21 to protest a variety of issues.

The protest was one of 69 recorded across NSW that day.

Mr Mitchell, along with Danielle Mitchell, 37, Michael Charles Fahey, Kerri Dianne Grant, Annette Maree Green and Jaime Rachel Smith were all charged with unlawfully participating in the protest during stay-at-home orders. Ms Grant, Ms Smith and Ms Mitchell were also charged with failing to wear a mask.

A woman is taken by Grafton police to the police station at an anti Covid-law protest in Grafton. Picture: Jenna Thompson

Mr Mitchell, who had previously pleaded not guilty to unlawfully participating in an outdoor gathering during stay-at-home orders, changed his plea to guilty when he faced Grafton Local Court on Monday.

Solicitor Joe Fahey sought to have Mr Mitchell’s charge dismissed by virtue of a mental health application.

Mr Mitchell, from Glenugie, will have to wait until mid-December to find out if the application is successful.

Fellow protester Michael Charles Fahey, 39, also changed his plea of not guilty to guilty.

Meanwhile, Annette Maree Green, 49, was found guilty of participating in the protest during stay-at-home orders but, without proceeding to conviction, was sentenced to a nine-month conditional release order.

Danielle Mitchell leaves Grafton Local Court after facing charges for her alleged involvement with a lockdown protest held in Grafton.

Kerri Dianne Grant, 47, will defend her charges, which also include failing to wear a mask, at a hearing scheduled for February 2022.

Danielle Mitchell, 38, and Jaime Rachel Smith, 32, who have both pleaded not guilty, will appear in Grafton Local Court later this year.