Cops drop YouTuber case
NSW Police have been accused of wasting taxpayers’ money after dropping a lawsuit against a YouTube producer.
Police have dropped charges against Kristo Langker, a producer for the political commentary outlet Friendlyjordies.
In June 2021, Friendlyjordies producer and writer Kristo Langker was arrested by the NSW Police Fixated Persons Investigation Unit, following a complaint by then-NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro. He was “...charged with two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal)”, according to police at the time.
Police attempted to argue Mr Langker stalked and intimidated Mr Barilaro on two occasions – at Macquarie University in April, and in Sydney’s CBD in June. Both interactions were broadcast on the Friendlyjordies channel.
This week, the case was briefly mentioned at Downing Centre Local Court, where all four charges were withdrawn and dismissed, and Police were ordered to pay $12,000 in costs.
Speaking after the charges were dropped, Mr Langker said police acted with “an almost unbelievable amount of stupidity and malice” towards him.
“They only backed out of [it] because they were scared of the subpoenas that we were getting coming to light,” Mr Langker said.
“Whoever stood there and let it happen and didn’t stand up and say; ‘Hang on, this is insane’ has wasted taxpayer money, has degraded the courts and insulted the judiciary.”
Mr Langker’s lawyer, Xenophon Davis partner Mark Davis, said tit was very fortunate that his client filmed the entire interaction with Mr Barilaro on the day of his arrest.
“It is very sobering to reflect that without Kristo filming the entire event, and having the resources to mount a solid legal defence, he could well have a conviction against his name as a stalker,” Mr Davis said.
Mr Langker is considering taking civil action against the police.
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