Porsche-driver Pusey muted by magistrate during bizarre court appearance

A magistrate has muted Porsche driver Richard Pusey as he faced court over an incident in which he got out of his BMW to allegedly assault another driver.

A Melbourne magistrate has muted Porsche driver Richard Pusey during a bizarre courtroom appearance in which he referred to himself as “Australia’s most hated man” and attempted to represent himself – despite having a lawyer.

Pusey appeared in the Neighbourhood Justice Centre on Thursday to fight allegations relating to a 2018 road rage incident allegedly sparked over a parking dispute.

Before Magistrate Martin took the bench, a prosecutor dialled into the court’s Webex link asked Pusey – who was appearing via video – who he was.

Pusey responded: “Australia’s most hated man”.

It comes just a day after County Court judge Trevor Wraight used the same phrase to describe Pusey as he faced a plea hearing for charges stemming from the horror Eastern Freeway crash which killed four police officers.

During Thursday’s contest mention CCTV footage was played to the court which allegedly depicted Pusey and another man trying to nab the same parking spot on Russell St.

CCTV footage allegedly depicts Pusey and another man trying to nab the same parking spot on Russell St.

The footage then shows Pusey get out of his car and walk to the driver’s side window before allegedly reaching into the man’s car and grabbing the keys from the ignition before returning to his BMW and driving away.

He has denied the charges which include unlawful assault and theft.

Pusey claimed, through his lawyer, he took the keys because the alleged victim had become “very angry and aggressive” and believed it was “appropriate to remove the keys because the man was not in a position to drive”.

His lawyer, Vincent Peters, said Pusey then dropped the keys at the South Melbourne police station.

Police prosecutors said there was no evidence to support this.

Footage shows Pusey get out of his car and walk to the drivers’ side window before allegedly reaching into the man’s car

As the footage was played, the property developer repeatedly interjected, saying he had been representing himself in this court matter for more than two years.

Mr Martin then asked Mr Peters permission to mute Pusey – to which he agreed.

“This is unacceptable to have multiple conversations going on,” Mr Martin said.

Mr Martin agreed with Pusey’s defence that the footage was not conclusive of a theft or an assault, but “on the other hand it’s not inconsistent with the thrust of the case”.

At the end of the hearing, when Pusey was unmuted, he complained he had failed to receive material from police including CCTV footage from different street angles.

Mr Martin told Pusey to speak to his lawyer about any issues he had, to which Pusey asked “what about the rest of the nation that can’t afford legal representation?”

The matter will return to court on May 6.