ACC protester gets diversion

Diversion has been granted to an ACC protester who barricaded himself on a balcony of Christ Church Cathedral for a night in March.

Police have withdrawn the charge of trespass against Neville Gordon Toohey, of Kaiapoi, who was protesting about the decision by ACC to deny him surgery for his back, the Christchurch Court News website reported.

The 41-year-old unfurled a long banner from the balcony during the protest.

Under the diversion scheme, first offenders can reach agreement with the police to make apologies by letter, make a donation to a charity, or do some community service.

If that is completed, the charge is withdrawn and they have no conviction on their record.

Mr Toohey was remanded to today for the diversion to be completed and that was done and the charge withdrawn.

It is not known what he would have been asked to do for the diversion, but he had spoken about making a donation to the cathedral to pay for security costs during his protest.

- NZPA