West Ballina man Luke Daniel William Simpson fails in Ballina court ‘sovereign citizen’ licence appeal

A northern NSW man was kicked out of court after telling a magistrate she had no jurisdiction – while battling to get his driver’s licence back under her jurisdiction.

Luke Daniel William Simpson (left), 33, outside Ballina Courthouse.

A “sovereign citizen” P-plater was kicked out of a Northern Rivers courtroom twice after telling a magistrate she had no jurisdiction while appealing to have his licence reinstated.

West Ballina’s Luke Daniel William Simpson represented himself in Ballina Local Court in a bid to get his driver’s licence back.

The 33-year-old on his provisional P1 licence lost all his demerit points from speeding, the court heard.

Magistrate Karen Stafford called the case and Simpson stated: “I am not Luke Simpson.”

Confusingly, a friend of Simpson’s watching on from the back of the court said during the March 16 licence appeal: “I can verify Luke Simpson is before the court.”

Simpson appeared argumentative and disruptive while addressing the court and he told Ms Stafford she had no jurisdiction.

“If there is no Luke Simpson here, I must deal with another matter,” Ms Stafford said.

Simpson and the man who spoke from the gallery were escorted out by two sheriffs.

Ms Stafford allowed Simpson to re-enter the courtroom a short time later, but his friend was told to wait outside.

Ballina Courthouse. Picture: Savannah Pocock.

Simpson began waving sheets of paper around as he stood before the magistrate.

“You have no jurisdiction … I have documents, I do not submit to the maritime law,” he said.

Ms Stafford replied: “You say I have no jurisdiction, but you have requested a licence appeal under my jurisdiction.”

Simpson continued to interrupt Ms Stafford and was again kicked out of the courtroom.

Simpson appeared with a dozen speeding offences on his driving history and a background of driving while disqualified, the court heard.

Simpson filed the licence appeal application on February 23 on the grounds he is a person of good character, has a good driving history and is fit and proper to hold a licence.

Ms Stafford said Mr Simpson was not a safe driver.

She said the application was “without merit and he does not consent to the jurisdiction of the court“.

The licence appeal was dismissed.

Originally published as West Ballina man Luke Daniel William Simpson fails in Ballina court ‘sovereign citizen’ licence appeal