John Anderson, aka Fast Buck$, to appeal Byron Court sentence

A vocal Byron council critic will appeal a court outcome arising from his alleged conduct toward Byron’s deputy mayor.

A vocal critic of Byron Shire Council will appeal charges and an AVO that means he must steer clear of a local councillor.

John Christopher Anderson, also known as Fast Buck$, appeared before Lismore District Court on Monday to appeal the outcome of an intimidation with intent to cause harm and contravening an apprehended violence order hearing.

The 74-year-old Coorabell man was sentenced on April 5 in Byron Local Court for his actions against deputy mayor Sarah Ndiaye.

Police had alleged that on June 2, 2021 - when Mr Anderson was already subject to a preliminary AVO against Ms Ndiaye - he breached it by placing an advertisement directed at her in a local newspaper.

They alleged his behaviour amounted to intimidation.

Mr Anderson was fined $1000 for the charges which were proven and an apprehended personal violence order was made for Ms Ndiaye’s protection for two years.

John Christopher Anderson, aka Fast Buck$, outside Byron Bay Courthouse on Monday, August 30, 2021. Picture: Liana Boss

The conditions of which are that Anderson cannot approach Ms Ndiaye or go within 20m of her, including at Byron Shire Council meetings.

Mr Anderson was ejected from two consecutive Byron Shire Council meetings earlier in 2021 and police were called on both occasions.

On Monday, Mr Anderson, who appeared self-represented, told the court he hadn’t been before a council meeting in over a year as he launched the all grounds appeal.

Byron Shire councillor Sarah Ndiaye outside Byron Bay Local Court on June 7, 2021 and John Anderson (aka Fast Buck$) being escorted from the council chambers by police in April. Pictures: Liana Boss

He told the court he wanted to vary the conditions of the AVO to what it had been previously and would bring new witnesses and evidence in relation to the original alleged incident to overturn conviction.

“The plaintiff reacted very dramatically and I have some evidence that my intentions were good, I just wanted to give her a note but it just went out of control,” he said.

Mr Anderson said he would be calling two witnesses, one of whom would be the Byron Shire Council general manager.

Judge Jonathan Priestly adjourned the matter for August 23 for Mr Anderson to gather evidence for the case.