A south-east Queensland cafe owner arrested after she and her staff allegedly refused police directions to wear masks, has been unable to attend her court hearing in person because she would not put on a mask.
Sarah Parsons, 38, was due to face Maroochydore Magistrates Court this morning on a contravene requirement charge but appeared by phone after security would not let her into the courthouse.
Ms Parsons told the court it was not her decision not attend in person.
Magistrate Haydn Sjernqvist adjourned the matter to September 13 and told the court her reluctance to wear a mask would not be accepted as an excuse.
"You will achieve nothing on the 13th if you don't come up to the first floor and talk to the prosecutor.
"And that may require you to wear a mask as everyone else is, entering the building. Do you understand?
Ms Parsons told the court she was seeking legal advice, and would ask for the full brief of evidence from the prosecution including "copies of any and all body-worn camera footage", plus extra time to review it.
How the cafe owner ended up in court
Police said officers visited the New Earth Cafe in Coolum three times to ask Ms Parsons and her staff to wear a mask.
It was alleged the Ninderry woman refused each request and became verbally abusive towards officers.
In a video published shortly after her arrest, Ms Parsons said she and all staff at her cafe had medical conditions and were exempt from wearing masks.
The business owner was fined $1,378 at the time for failing to comply with a COVID-19 health direction and a 34-year-old staff member was fined $206 for not wearing a mask.
In footage released by Queensland Police, officers at the cafe can be heard saying the compliance visits were prompted by complaints from the public.
"I understand you all have exemptions here?" the officer can be heard saying.
The officer can also be heard saying on the video that "under the Health Act, staff aren't allowed to serve customers unless they are wearing a mask".
The maximum penalty for convening direction is $5,514.
