Summarised by Centrist
Eli Rubashkyn, also known as Eliana Golberstein, was convicted of assaulting women’s rights campaigner Posie Parker with tomato juice during a violent protest in Auckland.
Rubashkyn, who pleaded guilty in June, had thrown the juice over Parker, real name Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, and Tania Sturt, an event organiser.
Rubashkyn had sought a discharge without conviction, however, Judge Kirsten Lummis refused.
According to the judge, the attack was “a well thought out premeditated assault” that Rubashkyn justified to the media afterward.
The judge noted that Rubashkyn faced threats after the incident, but had failed to submit a formal apology to the court, prompting her to comment “in terms of remorse, I’m left wondering.”
Regardless, Rubashkyn escaped penalty despite the conviction.
““I wish you the very best of luck on your continued journey from here,” the judge told Rubashkyn.
The incident occurred at Albert Park, where Parker was speaking when Rubashkyn poured a litre of tomato juice over her and another organiser, Tania Sturt, drenching them both.
Sturt accepted the outcome, stating it brought “some measure of accountability.”
Rubashkyn, unrepentant, told reporters, “Only God judges, and I just want God to judge me.”
Had Rubashkyn faced a penalty, the charges carry a maximum of six months in prison or a $4000 fine.
Image: facebook
