Former SBS journalist Scott McIntyre spared jail in Japan
Former SBS journalist Scott McIntyre has avoided jail time in Japan after being detained for several days over a trespassing charge.
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Australian journalist Scott McIntyre has been spared jail after facing a Tokyo court over trespassing.
McIntyre was detained for several days over the Christmas period, and those close to him claim he was held in a cell with the lights on 24-hours a day and was only allowed to bathe once every five days.
It is understood that McIntyre has been in detention since November 28, and was denied bail on December 19.
His trial began on January 10.
A friend of McIntyre’s, Sean Carroll, shared the news on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon.
“Scott McIntyre’s trial just concluded in Tokyo,” Mr Carroll wrote.
“He was given a six-month suspended sentence with three years probation.
“He is now a free man.”
Scott McIntyre speaking to the media outside Tokyo District Court now. pic.twitter.com/7SUt9LwSS6
— Sean Carroll (@seankyaroru) January 15, 2020
Scott McIntyre’s trial just concluded in Tokyo. He was given a six-month suspended sentence with three years probation. He is now a free man.
— Sean Carroll (@seankyaroru) January 15, 2020
A DFAT spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that the Department was “providing consular assistance to an Australian man in Japan”.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we will not provide further comment,” the spokesperson said.
It is unknown whether McIntyre will return to Australia.
Message from @mcintinhos:
— hayarina (@hayarinacat) December 20, 2019
My children were kidnapped by their Japanese mother in May. The Japanese court and police failed to provide any info on their whereabouts in 7 months. In an attempt to locate them I visited my parents in law’s apartment and was arrested and detained.
Message from @mcintinhos part 2: I have lights on 24 hours a day and a bath only once in 5 days, this is considered torture. ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™
— hayarina (@hayarinacat) December 20, 2019
A former soccer reporter and commentator for SBS, McIntyre was sacked from the network in 2016 after a Twitter tirade on Anzac Day, where he attacked Australia’s military history.
McIntyre shocked his followers with a post which implied that Australians commemorating Anzac Day were “poorly-read … drinkers and gamblers”.