ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

There were chaotic scene this afternoon at the Betoota Ponds District Court after a local magistrate threw a large book at a juvenile offender.

Magistrate John Fresno was in the middle of delivering his verdict when the accused, Thomas William Gunk, rolled his eyes and sat back down in his chair.

As the bailiff moved to request Gunk stand again, Justice Frenso picked up an idle copy of the Australian Constitution from the bench and threw it in an overhanded manner toward Mr Gunk.

As Mr Gunk sat looking at the floor while he smirked, he failed to see the Constitution tumbling through the air toward him.

It struck him on the top of the head, immediately rendering him unconscious.

The defendant’s counsel immediately objected to Justice Fresno’s conduct bu retreated under the desk as Fresno raised his gavel back as if to throw it at the next person who dared cross him.

Police from the Betoota Ponds Local Area Command sheepishly addressed Justice Fresno some ten minutes later, telling him that he was under arrest for what he just did.

At the time of print, Justice Fresno has been charged and released on bail.

He is due back in court later this month.

More to come.