Cyclist sentenced for spitting in face of anti-abortion protester outside NSW Parliament
A bike food courier faces court after footage captured his “unplanned and spontaneous” attack on an elderly anti-abortion activist.
Central Sydney
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Sydney. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Child porn videos found in ALP official’s baggage
- Helicopter prison escapee John Killick guilty of fraud
A cyclist’s “unplanned and spontaneous” decision to spit in the face of a pro-life protester at the height of NSW’s abortion bill debate has earned himself a good behaviour bond.
Kirby Weller, a bicycle food courier, made a beeline across Macquarie St on August 15 to mount the gutter and spat directly in the face of Cameron Phillips, before hightailing it from the scene.
Magistrate Kate Thompson did not convict the 26-year-old of charges of common assault and offensive behaviour at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
Weller pleaded guilty to both charges and was issued a two-year conditional release order.
The Annandale man was captured on CCTV and on mobile phone footage taken from inside a passing car carrying out the disgusting act in front of NSW Parliament House as debate raged over legislation to decriminalise abortion in the state.
Police facts state Mr Cameron was standing in front of parliament holding a sign that read ‘Abortion Kills Babies’ between 2.30pm and 4pm on August 15.
It was then that Weller spotted the sign while riding north on Macquarie St, before he crossed over a double white line onto the southbound lanes and mounted the kerb, the facts state.
“Having mounted the gutter onto the footpath and within a metre of the victim (Weller) then spits directly at the male without provocation, hitting the victim in the face,” the facts read.
The act left Mr Cameron “stunned”, according to the facts, while Weller “hastily rides off”.
Footage of the incident went viral leading to Weller’s arrest the following day, with police recognising a distinctive sticker reading ‘Peachy Keen’ plastered all over his work back pack.
On Wednesday the court heard Weller was a keen activist who pushed for rights and fair pay for workers in the gig economy, including food delivery drivers.
He appeared alongside former state opposition leader Michael Daley at a media opportunity last November spruiking Labor’s plans to protect such employees through changes to the Industrial Relations Act.
Magistrate Thompson said Weller “needs to moderate his behaviour” if he wanted to engage in political debate in future.
“The victim is entitled to carry out his protest without experiencing violence,” she said.
