An outspoken political activist accused of stalking government employees has bizarrely claimed there is a “Catholic-inspired conspiracy” acting against him and he is being “railroaded” by the courts.
Russell Gordon Haig Matthews repeatedly interrupted his own hearing, blurting accusations that “Catholics” had acted “against him over the last decade” during Wednesday’s committal proceedings at Brisbane Magistrates Court.
Mr Matthews asked sitting magistrate Julian Noud to recuse himself from the hearing because of “bias”.
“I’m being railroaded, this is a railroad,” Mr Matthews claimed when his application was denied.
Mr Matthews is facing four charges of stalking, alleged to have occurred over 2019 and 2021 against several police officers and a court registrar.
During Wednesday’s committal hearing, the court was told Mr Matthews was alleged to have published “harassing and derogatory” statements against some of the complainants on his website and on signs at a property he owned in Booval, a suburb of Ipswich.
He is alleged to have referred to one of the complainants as being “corrupt”.
One of the charges alleges Mr Matthews sent an email containing personal information and photos connected to “harassing and demeaning names” to her work address.
He is further alleged to have contacted the woman’s family and attempted to “elicit further information” about her.
“(He is alleged) to have included in his correspondence links to articles and photos on the website,” Mr Noud said.
“This included the complainant’s personal details and photos and connected to her husband, which included harassing and derogatory language.”
Police prosecutor Andreas Galloway tendered pictures taken during a search warrant being executed on Mr Matthews’ property as well as printouts of his website subject to the complaints.
Appearing over telephone and representing himself, Mr Matthews made a no-case submission where he claimed he had been “denied due process” due to his brain damage.
During submissions he made claims about a “conspiracy” involving the complainants and Mr Galloway, claiming he had been fraudulently attacked, police were acting in “bad faith” and there was “Catholic-inspired corruption” in Queensland.
Mr Matthews said there was “no evidence” to the charges and raised questions about whether he had an implied right to political communications.
“Why am I not entitled to contact someone for information?” he questioned.
“I realise this is just a rort.”
Mr Noud ultimately determined there was sufficient evidence to put Mr Matthews on trial in a higher court.
“The submissions from Mr Matthews have not altered my view,” he said.
Mr Matthews will stand trial at Brisbane District Court on a date to be determined.
His Supreme Court bail was continued.