Protester fined $300 for abusing the police

A FORMER reporter and Charles Darwin University teacher has been fined for abusing police at a drug law protest.

Robert Paul Inder-Smith, 46, pleaded guilty in Darwin Magistrates Court on Monday to disorderly behaviour in a public place.

The court heard the former Litchfield Times reporter and university teacher, now a part-time respite carer, had been protesting against the NT Government's new drug house laws in Darwin's Raintree Park in October 2002.

He and other members of the Darwin-based Network Against Prohibition (NAP) were using a "multi-user smoking device" in the city park when police arrived to break up the protest.

Summary prosecutor Tim Smith said police noticed the protesters had gathered around a large bucket with hoses in it.

"There was greenish liquid in the container and green vegetable matter gave off the smell of cannabis."

Mr SMith said Inder-Smith had intervened when protesters were arrested by police, telling them to "f... off".

He had stood between police and protesters and tried to stop the police taking the protesters to a police car.

Magistrate Daynor Trigg convicted Inder-Smith and fined him $300.

The court heard Inder-Smith was appealing against his conviction for invading the NT Parliament in May 2002 before the full cout of the NT Supreme Court.

Inder-Smith was among NAP members who burst into parliament when they thought the "drug house" Bill was being debated.

He and two other NAP members - Gary Meyerhoff and Stuart Highway are appealing against their convictions.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Wed, 16 November 2005
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Eric Tlozek
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/