Bells charges dropped

ERIN PEARSON
POLICE have dropped criminal charges against a Bells Beach activist who Surf Coast Shire accused of damaging council property at the surfing reserve.
Maurice Cole had been due to appear in Geelong Magistrates Court late last week on charges of unlawful damage and offensive behaviour at Bells.
But his lawyer said police dropped the charges after he argued they had “insufficient evidence”.
The three charges carried a maximum combined prison term of 10 years and eight months, he said.
The shire complained to police in August that Mr Cole, a former member of council’s Bells Beach Advisory Committee, drilled two holes in a stormwater pipe.
The shire alleged he caused $1000 damage.
The pipe was later identified as containing asbestos and left to spread material over the beach. The shire removed the pipe after complaints from Geelong Trades and Labour Council and surfers.
Mr Cole told the Independent in September that he drilled the holes to relieve pressure so the overflowing pipe would stop damaging an adjacent cliff face and washing away beach sand.
Mr Cole’s lawyer said he was pleased police had dropped their case against his client.
“The charges have been rightfully dropped without cost. They were very serious charges that shouldn’t have been pursued.”
Mr Cole, a cancer victim, previously told the Independent that he feared a conviction could prevent him travelling overseas for potentially lifesaving medical treatment.
Mr Cole later formed Bells Beach Preservation Society after the shire notified him and other advisory committee members that their terms had expired.
Mr Cole had publicly criticised the shire’s management of Bells Beach and council plans to redevelop the reserve.
Surf Coast Shire refuses to answer questions from the Independent.