Kebab shop owner Big Rob appeared in court yesterday for the mention of an apprehended personal violence order involving Lismore mayor Isaac Smith which he was arrested for allegedly breaching on Saturday.
Cr Smith was granted an interim APVO in March after he alleged Mr Rob posted harassing and intimidating material about he and his family on Facebook.
The mayor, who was represented by his solicitor Ms P Howsan, was accompanied by his wife Denise at Lismore Local Court.
Ms Howsan told the court she was acting as an agent for another solicitor in the matter and she understood some statements had been filed.
She requested a two week adjournment to allow time for more material to be served on Mr Rob.
Magistrate David Heilpern then told Ms Howsan that Mr Rob had been charged with breaching the interim APVO.
As the criminal charge of breaching the APVO is next listed on June 5, Mr Rob, who has pleaded not guilty to the alleged breach, requested the matter be adjourned until after the criminal charge is dealt with.
‘Perhaps the most sensible thing to do is to link this matter with the criminal matter,’ Mr Heilpern said.
‘I also note Mr Rob is on bail for the criminal matter and the bail has more strict conditions than the AVO.’
A brief of evidence concerning the alleged breach is due to be served on Mr Rob by police on May 22.
Mr Heilpern adjourned the APVO matter until that date at Lismore Local Court, with the interim APVO remaining in place until then.
Another APVO
In a separate matter, the court heard mediation had failed in a bid to resolve issues between Big Rob and Leanne Matthews after she applied for an apprehended personal violence order following an alleged assault last November.
Both parties appeared in Lismore Local Court on Tuesday after being referred to mediation on March 1.
Mr Rob was arrested three days after an alleged incident with Ms Matthews on November 22 at a Lismore restaurant.
The 45 year-old 2016 Lismore mayoral candidate and kebab shop owner was charged with assault, intimidation and using a carriage service to menace/harass/offend.
Ms Matthews also applied for an apprehended personal violence order APVO against Mr Rob.
The court heard Mr Rob had not been contacted by community justice about the mediation since being referred.
‘We did try the mediation but because of the floods last week that didn’t happen,’ Ms Matthews said.
‘I am still seeking the APVO your honour,’ she said.
As Mr Rob doesn’t agree with the APVO, Magistrate David Heilpern adjourned the matter until a hearing on August 25.
Mr Heilpern told both parties any witnesses they relied on that need to be cross-examined must appear in court for the hearing.
The court heard Ms Matthews would be bringing one witness to the hearing.
‘Mr Rob is that person required for cross-examination,’ Mr Heilpern asked.
‘Absolutely,’ Mr Rob replied.
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