Andrew Paul Offe is representing himself in his ACT Supreme Court trial. Photo: Albert McKnight.
When thousands of protesters gathered outside Parliament House for the Convoy to Canberra, a truck driver allegedly drove towards police officers and used his vehicle to force them back along the road as they tried to get him to stop.
The driver, who had words including “Freedom” painted onto his truck, is defending himself when denying the allegations, and claims he was following police directions at all times.
Andrew Paul Offe pleaded not guilty to two counts of driving a motor vehicle near or at a police officer when his jury trial began in the ACT Supreme Court on Monday (25 August).
His truck was covered in graffiti, including “Freedom”, “No more mandates”, and “No more”, while his number plate read ‘ZEUSONE’, prosecutor Morgan Howe told jurors during his opening submissions.
Thousands of protesters gathered near Parliament House on 12 February 2022, leading to road closures and police being stationed along the protesters’ route.
A police officer told jurors there were men, women and children among the protesters, while the adults were being loud, aggressive and abusive towards police.
“We were trying to keep people safe,” the officer said.
Mr Offe allegedly slowly drove his truck among pedestrians walking beside him and went past a sign near the ramp from Commonwealth Avenue to Parliament Drive, near the front of Parliament House, that said the road was closed.
The first police officer gestured at him to stop the truck, and he did so. The second police officer arrived and told Mr Offe he had to turn right and not left at the end of the intersection.
“This trial is about his decision to turn left,” Mr Howe said.
He alleged the truck moved slowly forward, but Mr Offe then drove left towards the second police officer, who put his hands onto the truck’s front grill and was forced backwards while Mr Offe continued driving.
The first police officer also put his hands on the grill, but Mr Offe allegedly continued to drive forward even though he was directed to stop.
Another police officer used his baton to break the truck’s window before police were able to turn off the truck’s engine, and Mr Offe was soon arrested.
The body-worn camera footage from a police officer testifying to the jury showed a large crowd of people chanting while walking on the road outside Parliament House, waving or draping themselves in red or blue Australian flags.
The truck, which was covered in Australian flags, could be seen moving slowly along the road, repeatedly blaring its horn, before a police officer smashed its window.
This police officer told jurors she then sprayed its driver with capsicum spray.
During the opening submissions by Mr Offe, who is representing himself in the trial, he told jurors “some of the DPP’s address was factually incorrect”.
“My position is that I was in a police escorted and police supervised and approved convoy where the police had closed off the road for an arranged rally, of which I was the most-rear vehicle,” he said.
“During this event, I became separated from the other vehicles in the convoy due to the large number of protesters and my care and caution to ensure nobody was harmed or injured.
“I say that I was following police direction and instructions at all times, and I’m innocent of all charges.”
The trial continues before Justice David Mossop.
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