8 Apr 11 @ 04:45pm by Peter Bodkin
James Oatley outside Manly Local Court in January. Picture: BRADEN FASTIER
A MEMBER of the wealthy wine-making dynasty that owns Hamilton Island has been convicted of assaulting an elderly volunteer as she came to the aid of one of Manly’s protected little penguins.
James Robert Oatley, 28, of Mosman, the grandson of wine magnate Bob Oatley, pleaded guilty in Manly Local Court yesterday to pushing over 73-year-old Johnyth Burton on New Year’s Day after he came to shore near Manly Cove on a boat.
A dog jumped off the vessel and ran towards one of the endangered birds, and Ms Burton ran to its defence, according to an agreed statement tendered in court.
Oatley became aggressive when one of the volunteers tried to take photos of the dog, pushing Ms Burton as she stepped in to intervene.
His lawyer told the court the 28-year-old admitted to pushing the elderly woman, but did not realise her age as it was dark and the lights from the shore obscured his vision.
But Magistrate Vivien Swain said Oatley should not have pushed Ms Burton, regardless of her age.
Oatley, who has previous convictions for drink-driving and failing to quit a licensed premises, was fined $1500 plus court costs.
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