‘Parliament invader’ escapes jail term

The “fifth Parliament invader” Scott White escaped a custodial sentence in the Northern Territory Supreme Court today for his role in the controversial Parliament Invasion of May, 2002.

Justice Brian Martin sentenced Scott to 10-weeks’ jail suspended immediately for the 60 seconds he was inside the NT Legislative Assembly chamber.

On Tuesday, Scott entered a late guilty plea to the charge of “Intentionally disturbing the Legialative Assembly while it (was) in session”. Four co-accused who pleaded not guilty in the Darwin Magistrate’s Court were given jail terms of up to five months, and remain free pending Full Bench appeals.

The suspended sentence is conditional that Scott not associate or communicate with fellow protestors, most of whom are members of the Network Against Prohibition.

The court was told that Scott had a new life in Tasmania with his young family, which Justice Martin looked favourably upon, as he did Scott’s almost blemish-free criminal record, as well as his references.

Justice Martin also took into consideration the fact that the accused had already spent four days behind bars in Tasmania and in the Darwin Watchhouse, following his extradition back to the NT.

Scott’s counsel, Ian Read, from the NT Legal Aid Commission, said Scott was remorseful and that he had a job to return to.

But he accepted the submission of crown solicitor Gemma Beggs, who cited “activity” on the NAP website, and reminded the court that Scott had stood as NAP’s candidate in last year’s NT elections, in which he contested the seat of Casuarina.

Justice Martin ordered Scott to return home in a few days and placed him on a $1000 good behaviour bond.