A BAROOGA man has agreed to a 12-month apprehended violence order over an incident outside Albury’s abortion clinic earlier this month.
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Mark Alan Wyatt, 32, assaulted retired farmer Greg Cummins, a member of the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, soon after arriving in Englehardt Street about 12.50pm on June 2.
Solicitor Jason Hanke appeared in Albury Local Court for Wyatt, who did not attend, but agreed to the order without making any admissions.
Magistrate Tony Murray imposed the statutory conditions preventing Wyatt from assaulting, molesting, harassing, threatening or intimidating Mr Cummins, 68.
A further condition prevents Wyatt from being within 50 metres of the clinic.
The circumstances of complaint outlined how Mr Cummins attended with others from the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants to protest and pray for women attending the clinic.
The group had two A frame signs erected and when Wyatt arrived, he grabbed one of the frames and started dragging it towards his vehicle.
He threw the sign into the front yard of a nearby residence.
Wyatt was near women in the protest group and Mr Cummins ran over.
Wyatt told members of the group that they would be in trouble if they were not gone within 15 minutes.
He slapped Mr Cummins twice to the left side of his face and he then raised his hands.
Wyatt threw a punch to the left side of Mr Cummins’ face and he fell backwards to the ground.
He was propped up against a brick wall directly behind him.
Wyatt then turned around and walked away, then got into his vehicle before driving off.
The police and ambulance officers were contacted and Mr Cummins was taken to hospital for a precautionary check.
Mr Cummins was told by Mr Murray that the apprehended violence order cannot be enforced in Victoria.
But Mr Murray said it was a simple process to have the NSW order registered at a Victorian court.
“I can do that in Wodonga today,” Mr Cummins said.
