Liberal Senator facing shoplifting, assault charges
Liberal Senator Mary Jo Fisher has been arrested on charges of theft and assault, relating to an incident in an Adelaide shop last year.
It's alleged she stole groceries from the Foodland supermarket on Glen Osmond Rd at Frewville, in Adelaide's eastern suburbs on December 15th.
Senator Fisher was only charged on summons in May.
Senator Fisher, 48, is best known for dancing the 'Hokey Pokey' and 'Time Warp' during a sitting of the Senate, in protest of the carbon tax, during a debate on climate change.
She is expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates court on September 1st, and is expected to contest the charges of dishonestly taking property without the owner's consent and assault.
Senator Fisher did not return calls from 7News today.
A police apprehension report obtained by the Advertiser said Senator Fisher allegedly assaulted the security guard in the carpark of the supermarket, when she was stopped from leaving.
The police report said Senator Fisher obliged and accompanied the guard to the office, but later asked to use the toilet, while they were waiting for police.
It's alleged she instead attempted to go to her car outside, but the security guard stopped her and again they waited for police to arrive.
The report said Senator Fisher told police she was going outside, to call a friend to help pay for the groceries as she did not have enough money on her at the time.
Later this evening, Senator Fisher released a statement to the media on the charges.
"In connection with an incident on 15 December 2010, the SA police charged me on two matters,"
"I reject the charges and will vigorously defend them."
"They are listed for a contested hearing on 1 September 2011, when I will present my defence."
"As I will be contesting the matters, I will not be making any further comment."
Senator Fisher has been in the role since 2007, after being preselected to fill the party's vacancy left by Amanda Vanstone.
