FIVE people arrested during protests against AGL’s coal seam gas development in Gloucester have escaped without convictions after appearing in court last week.
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The protesters pleaded guilty to the charges of obstructing traffic and trespass and all five received section 10 dismissals, meaning they escaped a criminal conviction.
Four of the five were placed on six-month good behaviour bonds, meaning they risk a criminal conviction if they face court again in that period.
Five other protesters charged with various offences had their matters adjourned to February next year.
Magistrate Sharron Crews said husband and wife Ed and Kristina Robinson, aged 64 and 58, business owner Karen O’Brien, 55, and grandmother Catherine Fry, 68, all risked a criminal record if they were caught reoffending.
All four were charged with obstructing traffic during protests outside an AGL compound on Fairbairns Lane in October this year.
Magistrate Crews said while she recognised the right of the four to protest it had to be measured against their unlawful actions.
Brett Jacobs, 50, who was charged with trespass after walking onto AGL land, received a section 10 dismissal without a bond.
Magistrate Crews said she believed Mr Jacobs wanted to make a point when illegally entering the land and urged him to act with restraint in future.