Controversial vegan activist Tash Peterson barred from leaving Western Australia

A notorious animal rights protester has been prohibited from leaving WA for six months over an ugly incident at a restaurant last year.

Vegan activist Tash Peterson has been prohibited from leaving Western Australia for six months and slapped with thousands of dollars in fines over a protest at a Perth restaurant last year.

The notorious animal rights protester pleaded guilty to two trespass and disorderly behaviour charges last month for two separate stand-offs at Fyre restaurant in Connolly.

The incidents stemmed from owner John Mountain’s decision to ban vegans from his eatery “due to mental health reasons”, after a negative review was left by a plant-based diner.

In response, Ms Peterson and her supporters stormed inside the restaurant on June 30 – where they were physically removed by Mr Mountain and his staff. The protest resulted in criminal allegations of trespass, disorderly behaviour in public and remaining in the vicinity of a licensed premises against Ms Peterson.

It didn’t deter her, however, from returning to the venue the following Saturday, where she played footage of animals being slaughtered on a TV screen. The vision was accompanied by the sound of pigs screeching, which Ms Peterson played through a megaphone.

She was once again charged with trespass.

All charges against Ms Peterson were set to be tested at Joondalup Magistrates Court last Monday – until she pleaded guilty. The third charge, for remaining on a licensed premises, was dropped.

Ms Peterson and Fyre restaurant owner John Mountain. Picture: Instagram

The incident at Fyre restaurant last year. Picture: Instagram

The incident at Fyre restaurant last year. Picture: Instagram

Ms Peterson was fined $2300 in total, plus costs, by a magistrate, and for the second trespass charge, was ordered to complete 30 hours of community service during a six-month community-based order.

Under a community-based order, the offender must (among other things) “not leave the State without the prior permission of the Community Corrections Centre”, according to the West Australian Government.

Vegan activist Tash Peterson is banned from leaving Western Australia for six months. Picture: TikTok

‘And basically, I’m in big sh*t if I commit another criminal offence.’ Picture: TikTok

Explaining the conditions of the order in a video on TikTok, Ms Peterson said she would be under it “for a period of six months”.

“And basically, I’m in big sh*t if I commit another criminal offence,” she said.

Fyre also shared the outcome of the charges against Ms Peterson on its Facebook page.

“So Peterson pleaded guilty to the offences she committed at our venue over a year ago,” the post read.

“She received a six-month community order of 30 hours ‘sh*t picking’, $2300 in fines and costs on top. Thanks WA Police, we at Fyre love you all.”

A post by Fyre restaurant on Facebook after Ms Peterson pleaded guilty. Picture: Facebook

Ms Peterson has made headlines around the world for staging similar protests in Perth, which have involved her pouring blood inside a butcher shop and harassing diners eating out.

Mr Mountain said at the time of the incident it had caused him huge amounts of distress.

“I don’t want to come across as the whinging Pom but these people have nothing better to do and we’ve had a couple of mental vegans,” he said.

“It does damage the business, for all the hard work we do.”