A "disrespectful" man who "ranted" at a magistrate before being forcibly removed from the courtroom has been fined $5000 for breaching COVID-19 self-isolation rules.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Kiama Heights man charged under the name of James Liske was convicted in his absence for breaching self isolation regulations under the Public Health Order on three occasions in July 2020 after he returned from Victoria.
He filmed an encounter with a Lake Illawarra police officer who conducted a compliance check at his home, posting the now-viral video online.
The video is similar to others seen online where people have challenged police officers during the pandemic, known as the "sovereign citizen" conspiracy movement.
In court, the man, 36, refused to acknowledge he was James Liske instead claiming he was James Settler before saying "Mr Liske is dead" and "Mr Liske is a frickin piece of paper" during a bizarre and farcical appearance at Kiama Local Court on Tuesday.
"I have surrendered the entity and security which is being sued," the man said. "Mr Liske is a dead entity.
"I am making a plea of abatement, because I am not in possession of the character being sued.
"We haven't established who I am. "I am an adverse complainant.
"I am here as James Settler, I am a protected purchaser of an adverse security of a sued person."
Magistrate Susan McGowan refused to accept the man's arguments or close the courtroom to the media as he requested.
She also had to repeatedly tell him to stop shouting at her.
The man also accused Magistrate McGowan of "committing fraud".
Magistrate McGowan had to leave the bench on three occasions in an attempt to give him time to calm down.
However, eventually he was removed from the courtroom by police officers and the sheriff, before his two supporters were also asked to leave.
The man claimed the police officers were "intimidating" him.
"I was reluctant to have Mr Liske ejected from the court," Magistrate McGowan said. "I did give it three tries, to no avail.
"It was the last thing I wanted to do, but in my view there was no alternative, which is unfortunate.
"He displayed very disrespectful behaviour towards me and the Sergeant and people present."
The man and about 10 supporters tried to avoid waiting media cameras outside court before some of them pushed and harassed journalists with umbrellas.
Mr Liske appeared in Kiama Local Court in October last year where he pleaded not guilty to the charge and a hearing date was set for March 2.
Following the antics inside the courtroom, police prosecutor Sergeant Robert Casey proceeded with his case and played the body worn footage of Leading Senior Constable Alex Reilly attending the Kiama Heights home.
In the footage, Mr Liske and his partner can be heard in the confrontation telling the officer he is "trespassing" on the couple's property as they demand his details so they can "go after him" with legal action despite senior constable Reilly already providing his name, rank and police station.
The couple asked the officer for his full name, badge number, personal liability insurance and business card.
"I can give you my name and my address which is the police station, which is what I'm required to do," Snr Con Reilly said.
Sgt Casey also tendered evidence of Mr Liske allegedly breaching the mandatory self isolation regulation when he left his house on July 20, 21 and 22. He was required to self-isolate for 14 days from July 12 to 26.
Magistrate McGowan found Mr Liske did not leave his home for a permissible reason and was confident Mr Liske knew he was required to stay at home after passing a border control point.
"It is clear to me on those three occasions Mr Liske was not self isolating and he was aware...he had to self isolate," she said.
"There is nothing put before me to say there was any emergency situation.
"He did not comply with the order and I find the offence proven beyond reasonable doubt."
In his sentencing submission, Sgt Casey said Mr Liske was "selfish" and "self indulgent" and his actions were "to suit himself" before adding the public health orders were put in place to protect everyone's health.
Magistrate McGowan noted the man displayed similar antics in court as on the video.
She convicted Mr Liske and fined him $5000.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.