Magistrate O’Shane under fire for ruling

Controversial Sydney magistrate Pat O’Shane is to be investigated by the Judicial Commission after she suggested a paramedic was racist in a recent ruling.

The magistrate asked an ambulance officer whether he “liked blacks” before dismissing an assault case against an African-born Australian man at Downing Centre Local Court last Friday.

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said he had directed Attorney-General Greg Smith to ask the commission to determine whether there has been a “pattern of decisions by Ms O’Shane that warranted action”, News Limited reported on Tuesday.

“I am not going to allow assaults on our emergency services workers to become acceptable to the courts and that is why I want the Judicial Commission to review this case,” Mr O’Farrell was reported as saying.

It is at least the second time Ms O’Shane has been referred to the Judicial Commission, which has already heard magistrates Jennifer Betts and Brian Maloney fight for their careers in the past year.

Ms O’Shane on Friday heard the case against Kasian Wililo, 30, who was charged with assaulting paramedic Christopher Martin.

The court heard Mr Martin called Mr Wililo a “filthy pig” for spitting before Mr Wililo allegedly punched him in the head.

“Would the court be correct in inferring you don’t like blacks?” Ms O’Shane asked Mr Martin, who denied this.

Under NSW law, Ms O’Shane will be forced to retire next year when she turns 72.

Senior police and ambulance officials confirmed they would appeal the decision in the Supreme Court.

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