Tom Tabart, Victoria
The diligence of the police to ‘attend’ to Fast Buck$ over his alleged breach of an AVO, with a late night arrest, handcuffs, paddy wagon, jailing/bailing, would amaze many who could only dream of such service.
It brings to mind a case some time ago where I was called as a witness to assist with the memory of a Council manager.
The case involved a simple community protest action where traffic barriers were moved from blocking a river access road to the Council Chambers.
The police ignored the action until the background dispute aroused the ire of the private company involved.
Police were unsure what to charge anyone with, but finally came up with, something like ‘unlawful removal with attempt of theft’.
The target of these charges was hauled before a well-known magistrate and witnesses flocked to the fray.
The police prosecutor seemed very unsure of what it was all about, but the magistrate, over three sitting days managed to somehow reach a guilty verdict – job done.
The case was appealed and the judge dismissed the verdict in about five minutes finding that no offence had been committed. Makes you wonder.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
