scone.com.auViolence Order Pounded
LEAH Marchant, a former volunteer at the Scone pound, appeared at Muswellbrook Courthouse today on a personal violence order brought against her by Jason Marks, a ranger for the Upper Hunter Shire Council.
During her first appearance for the matter in July (see related story: Prevented from Going to the Pound) Mr John Preston was granted leave by Magistrate Chicken to represent Ms Marchant, however Magistrate Morahan did not grant Mr Preston leave today and Ms Marchant represented herself, prompting Mr Marks to say of Mr Preston, “I feel betrayed by him.”
Whilst Ms Marchant was addressing questions from the Magistrate, Mr Marks interrupted several times causing the Magistrate to say to Mr Marks, “I am not talking to you” and eventually the Magistrate asked him to “be quiet.”
Mr Marks said “I want a media ban on her,” however the Magistrate did not entertain the request.
Mr Marks alleged Ms Marchant had breached the violence order due to the article Prevented from Visiting the Pound being published on scone.com.au, but the Magistrate did not respond.
After further interruption from Mr Marks the Magistrate said “I am starting to wonder whether you are the cause of this problem, you keep interjecting.”
Both Ms Marchant and Mr Marks said they had been in contact with the Community Justice Centre several times since their last court appearance, but had not been given a time for mediation.
Mr Marks attempted to put forward the details of the case on several occasions, but the Magistrate indicated it was not the time to do so and set down a hearing date for October 16.
Magistrate Morahan instructed Mr Marks to provide statements to the court by September 4 if he wishes to proceed with the matter and Ms Marchant is to provide her statements by September 18.
Further, the Magistrate said there would be no interim order given, which means Ms Marchant is no longer restricted by the personal violence order and could continue to visit the pound.
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