Children were separated from their parents and security guards feared for their safety when a protest against the COVID-19 mandate in January turned into chaos at a North Queensland shopping centre, a court has heard .
Key points:
- A video was played in court showing Ashley Charles Watson defying the authority of a police officer
- Watson took part in a protest that a security guard said left her fearing for her safety
- Watson was found guilty and sentenced to 100 hours of community service
Navy veteran Ashley Charles Watson, 38, was sentenced in the Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday on charges of public nuisance and obstructing police.
Watson was among a couple of dozen protesters who descended on Mackay’s Caneland Central shopping center on January 22, just weeks after Queensland’s borders reopened and during the state’s first wave of Omicron variants.
Watson, who represented himself at the half-day hearing, pleaded not guilty to both charges.
More than a dozen fans watched a video play on the court from the day of the protest.
The court heard that protesters were blocking entrances to the food court and children were being separated from their parents.
Mall security guard Rosalin Birch told the court the group was loud and aggressive.
The protesters had a permit to march, but it did not extend to Caneland Central. (Facebook)
“You don’t have the authority”
Under questioning from police prosecutor Sergeant Linden Pollard, Ms Birch said within minutes of the protesters’ arrival she was pushed against the windows as she tried to close the doors.
But those already inside went to the fire exits to let more demonstrators in.
Ms Birch said she was afraid of the protesters until police arrived at the scene.
Watson told the court he believed police were trying to provoke him, but the magistrate rejected that claim. (ABC Tropical North: Lillian Watkins)
In another video played in court, police officer Brayden Lacey was seen telling Watson he was not wanted at the center and pushed him back, to which Watson shouted “you work for me!”.
“You don’t have the authority … you’re assaulting me,” he said in the video.
Watson told the court he did not know he was not allowed into the mall and believed police used “excessive force”.
“I believe [the police officer] he did it on purpose to keep aggravating and trying to get a reaction,” he stated.
Watson was subdued with pepper spray and taken outside to have his eyes cleaned.
Police blocked protesters from entering Mackay’s Caneland Central shopping centre. (Supplied)
“emotional charge”
But Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said Constable Lacey had acted “entirely appropriately” in the circumstances and noted Watson had no right to be at the private shopping complex.
Magistrate Hartigan sentenced Watson to 100 hours of community service and recorded a conviction against him.
Ashley Charles Watson, second from left, leaves Mackay Magistrates Court with supporters. (ABC Tropical North: Lillian Watkins)
He noted that Watson suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“I can see that your convictions are strong and that you are not a bad person,” Magistrate Hartigan said.
“Unfortunately, things got out of hand that day and here you are.”
Magistrate Hartigan said the incident was “emotionally charged” and warned Watson to avoid similar conduct in the future.