Drug law-reform campaigner wins Appeal

A member of the Darwin-based drug law-reform organisation, the Network Against Prohibition (NAP) has won an appeal against conviction in the Northern Territory Supreme Court.

Rob Inder-Smith was one of a number of NAP members charged with a range of offences after the network’s 6th Community Smoke-In for Human Rights was attacked by police in October 2002.

Rob was found guilty of hindering police and disorderly behaviour by Magistrate David Loadman.

In an unusual judgment yesterday, Justice David Angel accepted Rob’s argument that Magistrate Loadman was biased. Dismissing the conviction, Justice Angel said that it could appear that Rob did not get a fair trial.

Justice Angel said ''The tone of the way the magistrate addressed the Appellant speaks volumes.''

The Department of Public Prosecutions conceded the appeal.

''Justice Angel simply articulated what we already know'', Mr Inder-Smith said.

''I'm not the first person to be victimised by a spiteful magistrate and I won't be the last,''

''Those two charges against me, like the 100-plus faced by NAP, have been either baseless or politically motivated.''

For more information see the NAP article on the case.

To arrange an interview telephone (08) 8942 0570.