Somerset man Kevin Barnes threatens to ride horse to court ‘again’

A furious Fernvale man’s dog was sprawled across the stairs to Ipswich courthouse as its owner demanded a magistrate “just deal with” his “bogus” charges immediately so he wouldn’t have to ride his horse to court “again”.

Fernvale resident Kevin John Barnes leaving the Ipswich Courthouse on February 20, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

A raging Somerset man unleashed his frustration in an Ipswich courtroom today, accusing police of harassing him and demanding that his “bogus” charges be thrown out.

Fernvale resident Kevin John Barnes, 63, stands charged with stealing, committing public nuisance, possessing utensils or pipes for use, and possessing a knife in a public place.

Mr Barnes appeared at Ipswich Magistrates Court on February 20, 2023, for mention and expressed his frustration with the charges.

“I want me knife back for a start,” he said.

Mr Barnes repeatedly told the court the charges were “bogus” as he had a script for medical marijuana, and the knife was “part of the tools of the trade”.

He explained he had needed the knife as he was going to work with cattle at the time.

“You wouldn’t take a chef’s knife,” Mr Barnes said.

Magistrate David Shepherd said Mr Barnes could contest the charges if he wished, and suggested he adjourn the matter for hearing at a later date.

Mr Barnes insisted the magistrate should “just deal with it now your honour, so we don’t have to go through all this bullsh*t again”.

“My dog’s out there waiting – I won’t be bringing me horse again,” he commented.

Mr Barnes's dog waiting outside the Ipswich Courthouse for him. Picture: Nicola McNamara

A horse was reportedly seen by multiple courthouse staff tied up outside the Ipswich Courthouse on a date late last year.

Mr Barnes explained that he was “sick coming to court with no fuel”.

“I ring up and plead guilty, but I still get locked up because I haven’t got fuel,” he said.

Mr Barnes complained that the last time police attended his address after he allegedly failed to appear, two of his horses escaped “because they didn’t close the gate, the dumb*rses”.

“I’m sick of being harassed by police … they’re doing strip searches, harassing me every day,” Mr Barnes continued.

“I can’t come to court, I’m going away … They’re bogus charges, throw them out.”

Mr Shepherd adjourned the matter to May 4 for a hearing to potentially resolve the matter, and Mr Barnes warned him: “otherwise I’m coming with my horse”.

Mr Shepherd said a brief of evidence would be provided to him by March 31 – to which Mr Barnes responded “I couldn’t give a rat’s”.

“Can you do a bit better and put me at the front of the list? I’ll see ya then,” Mr Barnes said.

He stormed out of the courthouse, with his bail enlarged, and collected his dog from where it was tied up outside.

Originally published as Somerset man Kevin Barnes threatens to ride horse to court ‘again’