Christine Andrews-Govett faced Lismore Local Court sentence for Council chamber protest

A Lismore woman has vowed never to come before court again after she was charged with disobeying public health orders in an anti-lockdown council chamber protest.

Christine Andrews-Govett (left) leaves Lismore Court with solicitor Annabel Wurth (right).

Lismore woman Christine Andrews-Govett says she will never come before a court again after she was sentenced for disobeying public health orders during a council chamber protest.

The 59-year-old pleaded guilty on Friday to two counts of not complying with Covid-19 directions, refusing/failing to comply with a direction and failing to comply with any other wear face covering directive.

Police allege officers attended Lismore Council Chambers about 9.15am on September 1 and saw about 70 people who were spoken to in relation to breaches of the public health orders.

Several of them were charged with disobeying public health orders in the middle of a lockdown.

Solicitor Annabel Wurth told the court Andrews-Govett only attended the protest for 20 minutes.

“Her decision to go to protest was one motivated by wanting to support the community,” she said.

“It was well-intended however she is someone who has bought the ire of the community.”

Ms Wurth said Andrews-Govett was under the impression the protest was legal and noted others involved had not faced court due to their involvement.

She used media coverage and several character references as reason for “leniency”.

Magistrate Jeff Linden acknowledged Andrews-Govett had spent five hours in prison as way of punishment for the “not legal” protest.

“Why it was held at council chambers is beyond me as council has nothing to do with the regulations these things come under,” he said.

“She refused to wear a mask and it is concerning people don’t wear masks.

“However, the other side of the coin is she’s had no prior antecedence.”

He found Andrews-Govett guilty of all counts but did not convict her.

The three other alleged protesters charged – Hayley Louise Bailey, Shawn Anthony Fergus and Catherine Andrews - are yet to have their matters finalised.

Ms Bailey has entered a guilty plea for failing to comply with a Covid-19 stay at home order.

She has also entered pleas of not guilty for two counts of not complying with Covid-19 directions, refusing/failing to comply with a direction, using offensive language in a public place and assaulting an officer in the direction of duty.

Mr Fergus has pleaded not guilty to resisting an officer in the execution of duty, failing to comply with a direction and three counts of not complying with a direction.

Ms Andrews has pleaded not guilty to two counts of not complying with Covid-19 directions, refusing/failing to comply with a direction and failing to comply with any other wear face covering directive.

She will face a Lismore Local Court hearing on January 11, 2022.