Paul Anthony Holland denied bail over alleged chief minister office vandalism

A Covid-sceptic accused of trashing the former NT chief minister’s office had a shocking outburst in court during a bail application. Read what he said here.

A Covid-sceptic who allegedly trashed former NT chief minister Michael Gunner’s Parap offices has told a court “God’s going to punish people” responsible for “Covid lies”.

Paul Anthony Holland appeared via video link in Darwin Local Court on Monday representing himself after accusing his lawyer John Lawrence of lying about his intention to plead guilty to charges over the alleged vandalism.

“Quite simply that was a lie,” Holland told Judge Alan Woodcock.

“My lawyer, he lied. I did not plead guilty.”

Shortly after Mr Lawrence left the courtroom, Judge Woodcock agreed to vacate Holland’s earlier plea.

Paul Anthony Holland’s bail application was denied in Darwin Local Court.

In his bail application, Holland, who the court heard is currently serving a suspended sentence, said he was “not a violent person”.

Referring to social media posts raised by prosecutor Lajita Allan-Agnew, Holland said: “Those things on Facebook is about God’s going to punish people,” he said.

“I didn’t go to Michael Gunner’s office during midday with a sledgehammer intending to hurt someone. I didn’t go there to hurt anybody. They were objects, they were things.

“It was all prophetic saying ‘God’s going to f*** them up not me’.

“I’ve got no inclination whatsoever to go out and harm anybody.

“I’ve never punched anybody in their face in my entire life.“I’m not going to go and lift a finger.

“I’m not going to go out and hurt a fly.”

It is alleged Holland trashed Mr Gunner’s offices in the early hours of August 2.

He was charged with being armed with an offensive weapon, damage to property and unlawful entry.

Accused vandal Paul Anthony Holland told Darwin Local Court his treatment over a vandalism charge was “akin to a murder charge”.

Defending the allegations, Holland said his case should be “of diminished responsibility based on all the Covid lies” and that Mr Gunner and current Chief Minister Natasha Fyles “should be up here as co-accused”.

In response Judge Woodcock said he was alarmed that what had motivated Holland’s alleged offending was still “operating on your mind”.

Holland said being held in custody over the alleged vandalism was “akin to a murder charge”.

“I thought this was just some case of vandalism but...it’s like I’ve gone out and killed some people or something. I haven’t done that, I’m a very peaceful person.

“I’m thrown in with the worst offenders.”

Paul Anthony Holland will reappear in Darwin Local Court on October 31 over an alleged trashing of former chief minister Michael Gunner’s Parap offices.

The court also heard that before being arrested Holland had allegedly resisted police and led them on a “driving pursuit”.

“It wasn’t about getting away, it was about getting through,” Holland said.

Judge Woodcock denied the bail application, saying Holland remained “motivated by grievance...against the (alleged) victim” and was a “real risk of reoffending”.

He will reappear in court on October 31.