Failed mayoral candidate Big Rob has been ordered to pay the $6000 legal bill of Lismore mayor Isaac Smith after his appeal against an interim apprehended personal violence order was dismissed.
The interim APVO against Mr Rob was granted by Magistrate David Heilpern in Lismore Local Court in March, following a complaint by Cr Smith to police about harassment.
This prevented Mr Rob from going within 200 metres of anywhere Cr Smith or his family lived or worked, or attended school, and stopped him from publishing any material online about the family or the mayoral vehicle.
Mr Rob appealed the interim APVO in the District Court, which was dismissed by Judge Laura Wells on May 18.
Cr Smith’s legal team then lodged an application for costs on the same day, which was adjourned until June 8, to allow Mr Rob to respond in writing why an order shouldn’t be made against him.
When Mr Rob failed to appear in Lismore District Court on June 8, Judge Wells questioned why he thought he was excused from appearing or responding to the costs application in writing.
On Thursday at Lismore District Court Judge Wells ruled Cr Smith was entitled to be awarded costs he incurred during the appeal process.
She ordered Mr Rob to pay Cr Smith’s legal costs totalling $6006.
Good news, Judge Laura Wells gets my vote.