‘Emerging artist’ Angelina Innocent pleads guilty to spitting on anti-immigration protester
A Melbourne artist whose work featured on the NGV website “reflects on societal expectations placed on women’s bodies” spat in the face of an anti-immigration protester and called them “racist f--king scum”.
An “emerging Australian artist” whose work featured on the NGV website “reflects on societal expectations placed on women’s bodies” spat in the face of an anti-immigration protester and called them “racist f--king scum”.
Angelina Innocent, 24, pleaded guilty at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to charges related to an assault on an anti-immigration protester.
The demonstrators were marching past the Hampton cafe she worked at in February when she came running out onto Hampton St screaming at the protesters: “You racist f--king scum”.
As she walked towards the group police who were present to keep the peace tried to intercept her to prevent an altercation, but she continued to yell “racist scum” and spat on the face and body of a protester.
She then tried to leave the area, but was stopped by police who told her she had just committed an assault.
She told officers: “I spat on him because I was upset”.
“I’ve been spat on by the same people multiple times but they’ve never been put in cuffs,” she said.
Innocent’s lawyer argued that the RMIT Arts graduate whose work has been exhibited in the NGVwas a “kind, empathetic woman” and should receive a diversion – a rehabilitative program that allows low-level offenders to avoid a criminal record.
On the NGV website, Innocent’s work is described as “critically reflects on societal expectations placed on women’s bodies and explores the forces that shape gender, feminine identity, attraction, repulsion and acceptance”.
The defence argued the day’s events were “highly emotionally charged” and should be viewed through the contextual lens of Innocent’s autism diagnosis and various other mental health conditions which did not “excuse” her actions, but gave “useful context” for why she had lashed out.
But Magistrate Angela Bolger said it wasn’t for Innocent to tell the court how her offending should be perceived.
Innocent may have believed she was “justified” in her actions, but her mental health condition absolve her of responsibility, or consequences, Ms Bolger said – refusing the application for diversion.
The prosecution said the spitting was a “rather shocking act” that nobody should be subjected to.
Ms Innocent’s lawyer said the unemployed artist had not reoffended since the February incident, and was looking for work as a support worker.
Ms Bolger sentenced Innocent to a good behaviour bond for 12 months without conviction.
