Andrew Benn pleads guilty to intimidation after supermarket rampage against Cr Big Rob supporter in Coles Goonellabah

A Lismore man went on a supermarket rampage, accusing a community member of being a paedophile for backing a local councillor.

Lismore man Andrew Benn charged with intimidation. He also has four separate AVOs being taken out against him.

A Lismore man has been remanded in custody after a Coles rampage in which he accused a prominent community member of being a paedophile because he backed councillor Big Rob.

Goonellabah man Andrew Benn, 48 – who had a murder case against him dropped in 2009 due to lack of evidence – pleaded guilty at Lismore Local Court to one count of intimidation.

Benn is also facing the imposition of four AVOs against him by members of the community, including Lismore City councillor Mr Rob, the court heard.

Benn took aim at the victim for supporting of Lismore City councillor Big Rob (pictured).

Benn approached the victim in Coles supermarket at Goonellabah Shopping Village and screamed: “You paedophile c--t, you dirty f--ker” about 5.30pm on May 1, the court was told.

The victim did not respond and walked down a different aisle to get away, but Benn approached again when he went to the checkout.

Benn was “waving his arms in the air with his fists clenched”, and “screaming in the face of the victim calling him a paedophile and dirty prick at the top of his voice”, court documents reveal.

Benn asked the victim: “Why do you support Big Rob? Why did you call me a paedophile on Facebook?”

The victim replied he did not and said: “I’m an adult, I can choose who my mates are”.

Benn then blocked the victim as he tried to leave the shop and continued to harass the man.

The victim phoned police because he was worried he would be harmed by Benn, the documents state.

The incident occurred at Coles supermarket at Goonellabah Shopping Village. File image. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

The court also heard Benn published posts about the victim on Facebook the following day and that one post included a picture of the victim, accusing him of possessing child abuse material.

Another post included a map pointing to the victim’s home address with the statement: “He lives here, neighbours need to be warned if they have kids.”

Police arrested Benn at home about 12.20am on May 3 and he was refused bail before appearing in the court on Wednesday, May 17, where he was again refused bail.

The case was adjourned to June 21 for sentence.