Vegan activist has conviction overturned by Toowoomba court

The 22-year-old represented herself in Toowoomba District Court where her appeal against conviction was heard.

VEGAN activist Hayley Marie Adams has had a win in Toowoomba District Court, successfully appealing a recorded conviction.

The 22-year-old had been ordered to do 50 hours community service and had a conviction recorded after she pleaded guilty in Toowoomba Magistrates Court in September last year to unlawfully entering a piggery at Pittsworth and a Canningvale poultry farm in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

The court heard she had disregarded clearly signed biosecurity procedures and handled piglets and hens.

Vegan activist Hayley Adams outside Toowoomba Courthouse. Picture Bev Lacey

While accepting the 50 hours of community service, Ms Adams was aggrieved at having a conviction recorded and appealed.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC heard the appeal and found that the sentencing magistrate had erred in not giving enough weight to the detrimental effect a recorded conviction would have on the 22-year-old.

He noted Ms Adams had three previous offences of similar nature but she had been fined $350, $500 and $600 respectively but had no conviction recorded on each occasion.

A co-accused who was present with Ms Adams on the entry of the piggery and poultry farm had a similar criminal history and had no conviction recorded for her involvement in the same trespassing offences.

Judge Horneman-Wren said there was a need for parity in sentencing.

Adams, who represented herself in court, said she was now looking toward a career in real estate.

Accepting a conviction could hinder her employment prospects, Judge Horneman-Wren set aside the Magistrates Court sentence and entered a sentence of a $1000 fine with no conviction recorded.