Qantas pie attack protestor pleads guilty to CEO assault
The Perth man who shoved a lemon meringue pie into the face of Qantas boss Alan Joyce while he delivered a speech has pleaded guilty to four charges including assault.
He has been fined $3600 and granted a spent conviction for his offence.
Tony Overheu, 67, planned the May 9 attack on Mr Joyce in front of 500 people in advance as a political statement to protest against "high-ranking" people promoting social issues, such as the Qantas CEO's public support for gay marriage, the Perth Magistrates Court heard.
"In a gross error of judgment he thought he might take this opportunity to make his point in a very public way," the man's lawyet, Tom Percy said.
"He doesn't try to laugh it off. He has expressed deep remorse for his offending".
Mr Overheu, whom the court was told had a depressive illness and also cared for his sick wife full-time, admitted his action was a "foolish" stunt.
After the incident, Mr Joyce said the man's behaviour was unacceptable.
"We live in a society where we have freedom of speech," Mr Joyce said.
"Nobody should be intimidated."
