VICTORIA Police has been ordered to pay court costs after a magistrate dismissed a case against a Tecoma McDonald’s protester.

Richard Pearson from Ferntree Gully appeared at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court this afternoon to find out whether he would be punished for drawing on a footpath with chalk outside the McDonald’s restaurant on Burwood Highway.

Police charged Mr Pearson with bill posting in May last year.

Magistrate Susan Armour said she did not believe Mr Pearson had defaced the footpath.

“The charge is dismissed, “ Mrs Armour said, which led to applause from members of the No McDonald’s in Tecoma group, who were in court to support Mr Pearson.

The court heard the costs were $6820.