Man booted from court during personal trainer’s bizarre Toowoomba court appearance

A Toowoomba magistrate booted a ‘puppeteer’ from court when a personal trainer went rogue spouting sovereign-citizen-like statements to defend a minor traffic charge.

Personal trainer Troy Rissman caused a stir at the Toowoomba Magistrates Court when he showed up for a traffic matter spouting sovereign citizen-like ideologies.

An ordinary court proceeding on a minor traffic matter before a Toowoomba court took a fiery turn when a personal trainer cited sovereign citizen-like ideology.

Personal trainer Troy Rissman appeared before magistrate Kay Ryan on Thursday, February 20, on one charge – driving without a licence as a repeat offender.

Personal trainer Troy Rissman caused a stir at the Toowoomba Magistrates Court when he showed up for a traffic matter spouting sovereign citizen like ideologies.

The Sovereign Citizen movement is rooted in extreme libertarian ideals and has been present in Australia for decades.

When Mr Rissman attended court he was with a support person who he repeated instructions from, and he also read from a notepad he had been studying in the courtroom.

When the former South Toowoomba Bombers player was called to the bar table to have his matter heard, he said he would not leave the public gallery until the magistrate answered five questions.

“This first one is, is this country we call the Commonwealth of Australia a common law country?”

Magistrate Ryan told Mr Rissman it was not her place to give him legal advice, and she was happy for him to stand in the public gallery while his matter was heard.

Mr Rissman told her honour, “I have the right to defend myself in a lawful court,” to which Ms Ryan agreed noting she could order a brief of evidence to be provided by police and set his matter down for a hearing.

Troy Rissman played AFL for Darling Downs South Toowoomba Bombers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

As Mr Rissman was receiving instructions from his support person, Police prosecutor Chris Wilson said “the puppeteer can be quiet please… you’re the defendant and he’s not here to represent you,”.

Ms Ryan told Mr Rissman if he wanted representation he needed to ask for the court’s permission.

The man who Mr Rissman referred to as his ‘Mckenzie friend,’ continued to give him instructions talking over Ms Ryan.

“Stop that or I’ll have you removed from court,” she warned.

“Can you please call security and I’ll have this gentleman removed.”

The man was escorted from the courthouse.

Ms Ryan told the father he was entitled to be represented but stressed it must be done with the leave of the court.

Mr Rissman reiterated he wanted answers to his five questions before his matter was heard.

“You’re in the courtroom Sir, you’re within the jurisdiction,” she informed him.

Although Ms Ryan told Mr Rissman it was not her job to answer his questions, she indulged him in asking his four remaining questions.

The question second was, “will our… retain my common law rights as a man under the 1901 Commonwealth of Australia constitution?”

He was told that had nothing to do with his charge.

“Go on, what’s your next one?” Ms Ryan asked.

Mr Rissman fronted court with a supporter who was removed by the court by security after he refused to stop instructing Mr Rissman on what to say to the magistrate.

Mr Rissman asked if he needed to go on given he wouldn’t be provided with an answer.

“Well you asked whether I would listen to your questions and I said yes. I told you that I was not going to answer them,” Ms Ryan said.

“I’m giving you the opportunity to ask them, to put them on the record as to what your questions are.”

Mr Rissman did not read his remaining three questions into the record.

A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf after he refused to indicate what he planned on doing with his traffic offence.

“So would that be an administration of my trust without my consent?” Mr Rissman asked.

Ms Ryan said, “that does not make sense sir”.

He said he was “hoping to defend myself in a lawful court so that’s why I was hoping that these questions could be answered,”.

Mr Rissman was told he was in a lawful court.

Ms Ryan ordered a brief of evidence to be provided to Mr Rissman and adjured the matter.

Prosecutor Chris Wilson attempted to get Mr Rissman’s phone number so he could be supplied with the brief of evidence in March, however the 29-year-old said he did not know it and noted one had already been provided to police.

He could not confirm if the number on file was his number.

Mr Rissman’s bail was enlarged and the matter will next be heard on April 3 for a mention.