KEY POINTS:
A woman charged after she ripped down a Burger King poster featuring three scantily clad women has escaped conviction.
Tracey Brenda Vickers, 23, of Towai, was at Burger King in Whangarei on June 3 when she took exception to an advertisement depicting three women in skimpy bikinis "riding" a hamburger.
She took it down and complained to counter staff about its sexual nature. She left the restaurant and was later arrested and charged with wilful damage.
Ms Vickers appeared in Whangarei District Court and was granted diversion, which means she does not get a conviction.
She has until August 2 to complete a task set by the police which is likely to be a requirement for her to make a donation to charity.
After her court appearance, Ms Vickers said she was grateful for the support she had received from friends and the public.
"There's always going to be someone who's got a different opinion than you, but most people have been supportive of me."
She still does not regret what she did, and was surprised to learn that ripping a poster off the wall was classed as "wilful damage". The adverts have been banned by advertising watchdogs.
"But I just want to get on with things now, and put it behind me. I'll do what I need to do and then just see how it goes," she said.
- Northern Advocate
