NT Court issues warrant for David Cole and family who lose $4k in bail

A prominent anti-vaxxer and his family have lost $4000 in bail, with a warrant out for their arrest after a court hearing.

A WARRANT has been issued against a prominent anti-vax leader and his entire family after they failed to rock up at court on Monday.

David Alan Cole faces multiple charges of contravening the Covid emergency declaration, as well as assaulting police and workers, rioting, breaching bail and being on Aboriginal lands without a permit.

The anti-vaccine leader, his wife, Meikim Sue Lee Cole, three children Niwang Cole, T’ara Monique Cole and Tristan Cole and son-in-law Rudy Matoy-Nukmtwa were also due in court for incidents related to anti-vaccine protests.

Meikim, T’ara, Niwang and Matoy-Nukmtwa were all charged with contravention of emergency declaration.

Niwang, T’ara and Matoy-Nukmtwa also faces charges of rioting, disorderly behaviour in a public plac, and assaulting and resisting police.

T’ara was also charged with hindering police, while Tristan faces a single charge of giving misleading information.

No pleas have been entered for any of the Coles’ charges.

None of the Cole family appeared when their matter was called before Judge John Neill on Monday.

David Alan Cole at a vaccine protest. Picture: Julianne Osborne

Mr Neill said David had contacted the court asking for another delay, claiming he was still looking for a legal representative.

The Local Court judge said it was the third time David had used this excuse.

“It was ordered on the 22nd April that no further adjournments were to be allowed,” Mr Neill said.

“I will not accept the matters raised by Mr Cole.

“He has not attended court in answer of his bail.”

Mr Neill issued a warrant for David and other family members, forfeiting a total of $4000 in bail.

A warrant was issued for each family member.

It comes as the son of a Darwin City councillor became the first person to plead guilty in relation to a violent anti-mandate protest in November.

Police allege about 500 unmasked protesters ignored Covid health measures, culminating in a violent clash where rocks and pepper spray were exchanged between rioters and police.

A protest against Covid vaccine and mandate by NT Government Pictures Julianne Osborne

On Monday, Juan Patrick Un appeared before Judge Ben O’Loughlin to plead guilty to contravening an emergency declaration by attending the November 6 rally.

Seven months after the incident, the self-represented man told Mr O’Loughlin he was tired of having the charge “lingering” over his head.

“A lot of my friends got involved in it. I felt it was my duty to show support,” Un told the court.

“It was to voice our opinion and stand up for what we believe in and our right to protest.

“I was asked if I could document and record it, which I was happy to.

“(I was) not thinking about the repercussions of what has happened.”

Councillor Amye Un waited in the courtroom gallery to support her son as he became the first to be convicted for his role in the rally.

The trained craftsman claimed he was in a “journalistic” role and did not feel he needed to wear a mask.

“Unfortunately now I’m here,” he said.

Police provided footage posted on Facebook showing the maskless single dad carrying his son on his shoulders while at the anti-mandate protest.

Mr O’Loughlin said the incident occurred when the risk of Covid for the Territory was at its peak.

“This was at a time when the Covid pandemic was at its probably most concerning (point), where a lockdown was issued,” Mr O’Loughlin said.

“It’s understandable why people might want to protest about such restrictions on their liberty.

“But equally at the time of the pandemic the laws were there for a legitimate reason for the benefit of society.”

He also said the large protest put yet another strain on the already stretched police resources.

Mr O’Loughlin used his discretion to not impose the full $5024 infringement notice, instead handing down a $1000 fine with a $150 victims levy.