Murder accused cops $140k fine: Glen Turners alleged killer hit with huge penalties, legal costs over land clearing

Sept. 20, 2014, 4 a.m.

THE man accused of murdering an environmental compliance officer has been ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs after being convicted of illegal land clearing the very offence his alleged victim had investigated.

THE man accused of murdering an environmental compliance officer has been ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs after being convicted of illegal land clearing the very offence his alleged victim had investigated.

Ian Robert Turnbull remains in jail, accused of murdering 51-year-old Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) compliance officer Glen Turner, but will fight for his release, lodging abid for Supreme Court bail.

Yesterday, the issue at the heart of the alleged murder was back in the Land and Environment Court in Sydney, as the 79-year-old farmer was convicted of bulldozing more than 3000 trees on properties owned by his son, Grant, and grandson Cory at Croppa Creek, near Moree.

Justice Terry Sheahan said Turnbull had not shown any genuine contrition or remorse for his offending beyond pleading guilty.

The defendant flagrantly disregarded the consequences of his actions, by continuing clearing in the knowledge that he was likely to soon receive a stop-work order, Justice Sheahan said.

Turnbull was fined $140,000 for the land clearing, after receiving a small discount for pleading guilty, and was also ordered to pay the OEHs legal and investigation costs, estimated to be about $172,000.

In his judgement, Justice Sheahan said because Turnbull was a leader in his sector, specific and general deterrence was needed in his penalty.

It must be substantial enough to deter others, as well as himself, from clearing native vegetation, particularly in this area, where unlawful clearing appears to have been an ongoing concern for the community, the judgement read.

More here:
Murder accused cops $140k fine: Glen Turners alleged killer hit with huge penalties, legal costs over land clearing