scone.com.auScone Court Report: February 2, 2017
SCONE had an extra court day this month to hold some hearings and clear some backlog.
One of the hearings involved evidence of a mechanical nature and while Magistrate Prowse has shown his expertise in tree planting, the Kyoto agreement and cattle in previous court sessions today he commented, “it is fair to say my knowledge of mechanics could be written on the back of a postage stamp with a crowbar”.
However, Magistrate Prowse is an expert at hearing evidence and during the mechanical matter noted a distinct lack of facts and evidence and too much speculation.
FRAZER, Shannon from Werris Creek commenced a hearing into five firearm related offences. The matter was part heard and will continue tomorrow in Quirindi Local Court.
SIEVERS, Natalie Clare, a 30 year old from Scone previously pled not guilty to a charge of destroy or damage property. Ms Sievers was seen in the vicinity of the court in the morning but failed to appear when called several times throughout the day. Another warrant has been issued for her arrest.
SMITH, Paul David, a 41 year old from Nerang, Queensland appeared for hearing of a charge of dishonestly possess/interfere with unique identifier, alleged to have occurred on May 29 at Scone.
The matter involved a truck Mr Smith was driving having a compliance plate and number plate that did not match the vehicle identification number stamped in the chassis. The evidence that Mr Smith was driving the vehicle and the facts of the physical evidence of the plates themselves was not contested. Mr Smith produced a witness who gave evidence that he had fixed two of the companies trucks after storm damage and may have accidentally put the wrong plates on the truck after they were repaired. The crown did not offer any evidence towards whether Mr Smith was driving the vehicle dishonestly and as that is a major element of the offence the charge Magistrate Prowse dismissed the charge.