A Peace Action Wellington protester has escaped a trespassing conviction following a protest at Defence House.
Laura Drew was part of a group of protesters who took a cardboard cutout boat into Defence House to oppose a US naval ship visiting and increased military spending.
She was arrested during the protest last April and faced a judge-alone trial at the Wellington District Court today.
Judge Peter Butler said there were two technical issues in the prosecution case.
He said the de minimis principle applies and discharged her without a conviction.