A local court magistrate berated the Shoalhaven City Council mayor's estranged husband in front of a courtroom of his supporters for attempting to drive through a roadblock during the bushfire crisis.
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Glenn Ellis Findley pleaded guilty to resisting an officer in executing their duty and drive recklessly at Milton Local Court on Monday, February 24.
As he read through the agreed facts, Magistrate Roger Prowse outlined to the court how Findley was driving a white Toyota Landcruiser in a southbound direction on Woodburn Road about 10.15pm on December 7.
When Findley approached the roadblock at the intersection of Wheelbarrow and Woodburn roads, he didn't appear to stop. Findley "slowed to the left" but the vehicle was unable to stop.
A council worker took hold of the bull bar, while car moved forward at about 3km/h, Magistrate Prowse told the court.
A police officer, who was also at the roadblock, then approached the car. The officer asked Findley to leave the car, but he "refused to do so".
A second officer approached the car and both removed him from the Landcruiser.
Officers arrested Findley and took him to the police station, which "aggravated circumstances" during an emergency situation as others had to be called out, Magistrate Prowse said.
Before handing down his sentence, Magistrate Prowse scolded Findley for his actions near a fireground.
The magistrate spoke of how he faced similar circumstances near Kyogle, during the start of the bushfires on the north coast of NSW, but he didn't "carry on like a pork chop" when he was told he couldn't drive past a roadblock.
Magistrate Prowse said police officers and council workers should not have to put up with people behaving like Findley during an emergency situation.
"It might be time you start acting your age as opposed to being a spoiled brat," he said.
Findley was convicted and fined $3100 and disqualified from driving for two and a half years.
Charges of not obey direction of police, disobey road closure sign, refuse to produce driver's licence and resist police officer in execution of duty were withdrawn by the police prosecutor.
Read more: Crime/Court
