Conservationist avoids trespassing conviction
Friday, 16 February 2007. 

A conservationist who protested in the Weld Valley has escaped a conviction for locking himself in a forestry vehicle.

Thirty-five-year-old Adam Burling of Lucaston was arrested in the Valley late last year.

In the Hobart Magistrates Court this morning, Burling pleaded guilty to trespassing while campaigning against logging in the Weld Valley.

They court heard he sat in the driver's seat of a forestry vehicle and refused to leave.

When police used the electronic key to unlock the car, Burling continued to lock it again, but police eventually pulled him out of the car.

Defence lawyer Cassandra Gregg said Burling was a former Huon Valley councillor, part-time employee of Greens Senator Bob Brown and a dedicated forest campaigner.

The magistrate told Burling actions like his did not tend to further the cause.

Burling was not convicted on condition of six months' good behaviour.