The lawyer representing a champion Olympic diver on charges of shoplifting and unlicensed driving has called for the media to be banned from court proceedings.
Robert Burns, Chantelle Lee Newbery’s lawyer, has accused the media of “opportunistic conduct”, claiming there would be little interest in the case if any other member of the community was involved.
“Were she not a person of some note who had achieved something for this country she would be of absolutely no interest to the press whatsoever,” Mr Burns told magistrate Zac Sarra.
“But for the fact that she’s been a gold medallist at the Olympics the press wouldn’t give a brass razoo.”
The 44-year-old is accused of stealing groceries from a supermarket in Ormiston, Queensland, in April last year, as well as from a store in Victoria Point in January and a Woollongabba supermarket last month.
Ms Newbery has also been charged with three counts of breaching bail conditions by allegedly failing to report to Cleveland Police Station in June and July.
When asked why Ms Newbery was not present in court, Mr Burns said “there was an issue with a potential application for closed court due to press involvement”.
“Every time this matter is before the court the press take an active interest in a matter which … if it were any other member of the community there would be little interest and it’s really opportunistic conduct by the press,” he said.
Mr Burns added that Ms Newbery had made mistakes and would take responsibility for her actions, but “shouldn’t necessarily be subjected to any additional punishment through what the press are doing”.
Mr Sarra said court proceedings would only be closed under extenuating circumstances, and that an application could be brought before the court that the press could respond to.
“I wish the press were here more often, Mr Burns, to be honest, to report the problems we have to deal with [like] the impact ice is having in the community, the increasing levels of domestic violence, many of the issues that are tearing this community fabric to shreds,” Mr Sarra said.
The magistrate also cancelled a warrant for Newbury’s arrest that had been issued by Brisbane magistrate Elizabeth Hall last month, which had not been executed.
Newbury’s matters have been adjourned to Wynnum Magistrates Court, to be heard on October 1.
Newbery won gold and bronze at the Athen Olympics in 2004 and became Australia’s first diving gold medallist in 80 years.
Image: Getty
