Nimbin peace activist Graeme Dunstan has avoided jail despite being convicted of damaging a military helicopter at Rockhampton airport in July 2011.
But Judge Nick Samios said during sentencing yesterday afternoon that Mr Dunstan will be required to pay $162,000 damages.
Justice Samios sentenced Mr Dunstan to two years’ jail but suspended it on his entering a three-year good behaviour bond.
Mr Dunstan told local media outside the court that he was ‘happy to have drawn attention to his cause for peace’.
‘We prayed for a not guilty verdict but it didn’t come through. I will continue to be a peacemaker.’
Mr Dunstan is pictured above (centre) with his court supporter Sean O’Reilly (right) and Byron filmmaker David Bradbury, who is making a documentary about Graeme’s fight.
