A West Albury woman charged over her involvement in an illegal COVID-19 anti-lockdown protest in central Albury had been there for only 10 minutes, a court has heard.
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Defence lawyer Angus Lingham has told Albury Local Court that Elise Cheadle, who was being sentenced, had not long parked her car when she came across the protest.
She was pushing her one-year-old in a pram when she saw people outside Albury Council's Kiewa Street headquarters on August 31.
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Mr Lingham told magistrate Richard Funston that Cheadle, who appeared in court, stayed at the back of the group of about 20 protesters for only 10 minutes.
"She was standing there talking to somebody else," he said.
Cheadle, 37, previously pleaded guilty - through lawyer Mark Cronin, appearing on behalf of Mr Lingham - to a single charge of unlawfully participate in an outdoor gathering in a stay-at-home area.
Mr Lingham said his client was a highly respected teacher who did a considerable amount of work with special needs children.
He said she had formed a view that pandemic lockdowns were having a significantly negative impact on these children.
Mr Lingham said Cheadle had an exemption so she did not need to wear a mask, but did not have that with her on the day.
Mr Funston placed Cheadle on a six-month conditional release order, without conviction.
The court heard previously how several people attending the protest, which was described as peaceful and respectful, were arrested by police.
Each of those people charged who were required to appear in court were also placed on conditional release orders.
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