So-called ‘sovereign citizens’ have protested against a magistrate’s ruling inside a courtroom as two men arrested over protests outside Old Parliament House were granted bail.

Bruce Shillingsworth Jr was charged with abetting arson as police allege he blocked emergency services from reaching the doors at Old Parliament House while another man allegedly lit a fire on 30 December.

Shillingsworth pleaded not guilty. 

Dylan Wilson was charged with assaulting a frontline service provider and obstructing a public official following alleged actions at the same protest.

Prosecutor Alexandra Back opposed bail for both men. 

Shillingsworth was granted bail after agreeing not to enter the suburb of Parkes – where Old Parliament House is located – as well as to check in at Sydney’s Redfern police station three times a week and not contact the accused arsonist. 

Magistrate Beth Campbell told the court Shillingsworth’s record suggested he was a man of his word.

“Bail only works if someone gives their word and keeps their word. What are my chances of you agreeing and keeping your word?” she asked.

“My understanding is, rightly or wrongly, you hold the view the authority of this court and the laws of the nation do not bind you.”

Shillingsworth replied, “Your honour, you can take my word 100 per cent. I have been an upstanding citizen within your law thus far.”

The interaction sparked anger from sovereign citizens in the courtroom as Ms Campbell asked if Shillingsworth would agree to be subjected to his bail conditions. 

The protesters continually interjected, saying Shillingsworth had “diplomatic immunity” before angrily leaving the court as he agreed to the conditions. 

Wilson was also granted bail after Ms Campbell said police failed to produce relevant evidence relating to new charges.

Police allege Wilson tried to inhibit emergency services personnel from putting out a fire burning the doors of Old Parliament House by joining a line of protesters standing between officers and the fire. 

Ms Campbell said while more evidence may be produced to corroborate the fresh charges against Wilson, “I cannot be asked to do a job that on this occasion police have failed to do themselves”.

“On the evidence before me, there is no clear evidence of him committing the two offences,” she said. 

“Standing between (the police and the fire) is not necessarily enough. The officer can just go around.”

Wilson – a self-proclaimed sovereign citizen who does not believe in the rule of law – continually interjected via video link, saying the court did not have legal jurisdiction to charge him.

“You are unlawfully detaining me in a kangaroo system,” he said. 

“I have not committed any crime which is why they have come up with these stories.”

Wilson was muted twice.

Ms Back said Wilson’s continual breach of prior bail conditions by returning to protest at Old Parliament House despite not being allowed in the suburb meant he would ignore future bail conditions. 

With the breach being a fine-only matter, Ms Campbell granted bail but sternly warned Wilson about future breaches, saying he would be remanded if he continued to ignore bail conditions. 

Wilson, who appeared without legal representation, said police did not have the jurisdiction to impose restrictions on his movement.

“That’s why you need to get some good quality legal advice,” Ms Campbell said before muting him.

By Dominic Giannini in Canberra

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