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An Auckland businessman is penning pleas in mitigation from a jail cell after a fiery High Court appearance yesterday that featured a protest banner being unfurled and Justice Judith Potter labelled a "disgrace".
Vince Siemer was arrested for contempt of court yesterday morning as he stepped off a plane at Auckland Airport from the United States.
The charges follow Siemer repeatedly defying an April 2005 court order to stop spreading defamatory material about Vector chairman Michael Stiassny. Mr Stiassny is a former receiver for Siemer's Paragon Oil company.
The defamation was committed in postings to two websites, letters to two newspapers and the distribution of stickers drawing attention to the sites.
The lawyer for Mr Stiassny, Peter Hunt, urged Justice Potter to jail Siemer as his offending had harmed his client's reputation and been a "direct challenge" to the court.
Although prison for contempt was a "last resort", Siemer had shown "no remorse or sense of contrition" for ignoring the court order.
Siemer, who represented himself, said he had emailed the court to say he would be out of the country when the matter was heard, and other matters had been heard while he was overseas.
Mr Stiassny's lawyers had been granted adjournments "for much less compelling reasons" and he had had no chance to prepare for yesterday's hearing.
Justice Potter dismissed much of Siemer's submission as it related to evidence rejected at Supreme Court and Court of Appeal level.
Siemer then requested a 24-hour adjournment to prepare submissions relating specifically to his sentencing.
The request was granted but Siemer was remanded in custody, with prison authorities ordered to assist him to prepare his arguments.
Justice Potter's ruling threw Siemer - and supporters - into a fury in which he and spectators called her and the court system a "disgrace".
As Siemer left, veteran protester Penny Bright unfurled a banner alleging judicial corruption and promoting the defamatory website.
Siemer will be sentenced when the hearing resumes at 3pm today. Supporters would picket the court.
