Bunbury man Brodie Patrick Clarke’s alleged courthouse outburst over COVID-19 check-in costs him his car

A Bunbury man’s alleged refusal to comply with COVID-19 check-in requirements has cost him his car after police were able to have a confiscation order granted in his absence. Brodie Patrick Clarke was due to appear in Bunbury Magistrate’s Court on Friday to answer an application made by police to have his car surrendered after he was previously convicted of driving with a suspended licence for a third time. However, he allegedly refused to comply with the compulsory mask mandate and refused to check in on SafeWA upon entry to the courthouse. It was alleged Mr Clarke entered the building and began making his way to the courtroom he was due to appear in, bypassing the SafeWA check-in station and security staff stationed at the entry. When he was confronted by security staff, Mr Clarke allegedly refused to comply with their request to check in and wear his mask to cover his mouth and nose, claiming “I have rights”. After being asked to leave if he was not going to comply, Mr Clarke allegedly told security staff to “kiss my f...... a.......”, prompting them to inform him police would be called. Mr Clarke allegedly continued to claim his rights were being taken away and he would be “arrested for nothing” as he allegedly attempted to make his way to the appropriate courtroom as multiple security staff members and police prosecutor Sergeant Jane Gillham blocked his way, telling him to leave. Mr Clarke was eventually escorted from the building, allegedly saying he would just not appear for his hearing. When his name was eventually called, Sergeant Gillham’s application to have Mr Clarke’s car confiscated was granted in his absence, explaining to Magistrate Joanne Andretich he had initially presented to the court but “created a disturbance” and was “aggressive and belligerent” towards security staff. Mr Clarke has one week to surrender his car.