John Banks got a muddy reception at the High Court in Auckland today from a bloke who obviously doesn't believe in the presumption of innocence; the Herald reports:
John Banks' trial on a charge of filing a false electoral return got off to a dirty start today when a man threw a bucket of mud at him as he walked into the High Court at Auckland.
Act's sole MP was walking towards the court's entrance when an elderly man stepped forward and threw a bucket load of mud at him, spattering his face and suit.
Of course, serial protester and Auckland rates defaulter Penny Bright just happened to be right on hand:
Penny Bright, who was protesting against Banks outside the court, witnessed the incident and said the man "just biffed it all over" Banks.
"He just looked like thunder," she said of Banks, who then composed himself and walked inside.
Ms Bright said the man, who was wearing a purple polar fleece top and grey track pants, was angry about something Banks had said on Radio Pacific in 1997.
Court security were dealing with the man.
Mr Banks' assailant, like Mr Banks himself, may find himself in court. If that is the case, he will be entitled to the same presumption of innocence that Mr Banks is, and that the protester tried to circumvent this morning. Isn't that ironic...
