Newcastle Port protest: Isaac Leonard, John Max Wurcker convicted, fined

Two Rising Tide protestors have been convicted and fined for their role in the Newcastle Port protests. Here is the latest from court.

A blind university student and a self-funded retiree have been convicted and fined for their part in the protest which closed down Newcastle Harbour at the weekend.

Isaac Leonard, 23, of Newcastle, and John Max Wurcker, 65, of Canberra, both pleaded guilty to one count of operating a vessel to interfere with others’ use of waters.

The pair, both members of the activist group Rising Tide, faced Newcastle Local Court on Monday after spending a night in custody when they refused to sign their bail agreements when granted release by police.

Rising Tide protester JIsaac Leonard, 23, of Newcastle, faced Newcastle Local Court on Monday, November 27, 2023, after being refused bail following a protest stopping coal ships entering or leaving Newcastle Harbour on Sunday, November, 26. Picture: Facebook

Legal Aid solicitor James Wallace said Leonard refused to sign his bail agreement because of non-association conditions which would have prevented him from being in contact with other Rising Tide members.

Mr Wallace said his client was blind with “glass eyes” and most of his friends and associates, including his NDIS support worker, were fellow members of the activist group.

He said Leonard was studying earth science at university and worked part time as a computer programmer earning $200 a week.

Rising Tide protester John Max Wurcker, 65, of Canberra, faced Newcastle Local Court on Monday, November 27, 2023, after being refused bail following a protest stopping coal ships entering or leaving Newcastle Harbour on Sunday, November, 26. Picture: Facebook

Magistrate Janine Lacy said he had a previous conviction for a similar protest when he entered a rail corridor in June of this year but was “otherwise of good character” and a “vulnerable” person.

She convicted him and fined him $600.

Wurcker represented himself and told the court he spent most of his career in developing countries and most recently was a CEO of a large aid organisation until he became a self-funded retiree.

He told the court he “disagreed” with most of the lengthy police facts sheet of which “only the last 100 words is relevant to me” but pleaded guilty to the offence.

He questioned whether his detention was “lawful” given the offence only carried a “fine only” but requested his overnight stay in custody be taken into account when he was sentenced.

Magistrate Lacy said Wurcker was also of good character except for a couple of minor matters including a similar protest in June where he also illegally entered a rail corridor.

She convicted him and fined him $650 after finding he had “more means” to pay the fine than Leonard.