Northern NSW lawyer Carl Edwards has conviction for failing to leave licensed premises during Covid quashed in court

A prominent Northern Rivers defence lawyer turfed out of a bar on the Queensland-NSW border during the Covid pandemic has had the last laugh in court. Here’s what happened.

Carl Morris Edwards succeeded in Lismore District Court.

A prominent northern NSW defence lawyer turfed out of a Tweed Heads sports bar during the Covid pandemic insisted he did nothing wrong – and a court has granted his appeal.

Carl Morris Edwards, 65, represented himself when he appeared before Judge Jonathan Priestley in Lismore District Court on Tuesday.

He fought a conviction for failing to leave a licensed premises during coronavirus restrictions.

Mr Edwards was at the 1st on Wharf Tavern at Twin Towns club near the Queensland-NSW border with his wife and friends sharing drinks on October 9, 2021, the court heard.

He was asked to leave the premises by bar manager Paul Taylor. The court heard the worker claimed Mr Edwards exclaimed “Not this f--king s--t again” when asked to put on a face mask at the bar.

Prominent Tweed Heads criminal lawyer Carl Morris Edwards outside the court.

Mr Edwards handed over a mask exemption, but was ordered to leave for allegedly swearing and abusing staff – a claim he has denied.

The solicitor said he believed Mr Taylor had it in for him due to a previous incident – when he did not have the correct mask exemption – and he was “convinced” the staff member would act as he did previously.

“When he realised I did have the correct letter from my doctor, he said I swore at him,” Mr Edwards told the court.

“Somebody does use bad words, but certainly not me.”

The court heard Mr Taylor could not recall when Mr Edwards used the explicit language, but he said the lawyer generally exclaimed “f--k” a lot.

Inside 1st on Wharf, Twin Towns, Tweed Heads.

Mr Edwards accepted the easiest thing would have been to “get up and leave”, but said he had to “stand up for himself on principle”.

“The direction given (to leave the premises) is unlawful,” he said.

Mr Edwards told the court Mr Taylor’s evidence was “exaggerated”.

“Why would I draw his attention to a prior incident – why would I sneak in and try to use my wife’s doctor’s letter?” he said.

Mr Edwards said Mr Taylor was simply “really annoyed” he had the correct exemption at the time.

Judge Priestley said at one stage: “We’re not delving into sovereign territory are we?”

The prosecution argued Mr Taylor was not able to read the exemption because Mr Edwards was “swearing and carrying on”.

“CCTV shows Edwards not wearing a mask, but there are lots of people there not wearing masks – but Edwards is the only one at the bar not wearing a mask,” a prosecutor said.

Carl Morris Edwards leaves Lismore Courthouse with his partner supporting him.

Judge Priestley said the most crucial point was the alleged swearing.

He told the court Mr Edwards had been “plainly argumentative” and while “he did not use any profanity” at a specified time, it could have happened “earlier”.

Judge Priestley said the most crucial point was the alleged swearing.

He told the court Mr Edwards had been “plainly argumentative” and while “he did not use any profanity” at a specified time, it could have happened “earlier”.

Judge Priestley said Mr Edwards left the bar in a sedate way which was not consistent with someone who had been swearing and abusive.

The Judge said Mr Taylor did not seem dishonest, but his evidence had inconsistencies.

Mr Edwards’ appeal was granted and the conviction set aside.

The Judge said Mr Taylor did not seem dishonest, but his evidence had inconsistencies.

Mr Edwards’ appeal was granted and the conviction set aside.

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