My faith in the Australian justice system has been somewhat restored after what became known as the Einfeld Defence failed and former judge Marcus Einfeld was led from a Sydney court after being given a jail sentence for lying to avoid a $77 speeding fine.
Perjuring himself also cost him his title as Queen's counsel and his Order of Australia. Among the few things left intact is his $200,000-a-year retired judge's pension. Not a cent of which he needs to spend on board and lodging for the next two years! Now isn't that nice?
The 70-year-old stumbled and grabbed the rail of the dock in the New South Wales Supreme Court as he was sentenced to three years in jail with a non-parole period of two years for perjury and perverting the course of justice.
The court was crowded with his supporters. Some ran over and hugged him, one giving him jelly beans, before he handed his wallet and mobile phone over to court officers.
His daughter cried as she embraced her father. Einfeld told another supporter, "the bag is packed".
Justice Bruce James said Einfeld had engaged in "planned criminal activity" and "deliberate, premeditated perjury" to avoid demerit points on his driver's licence.
Einfeld committed perjury and perverted the course of justice, all to avoid a $77 fine for driving 10 kilometres per hour over the speed limit.
