A self-declared sovereign citizen and "prince" of a spectacular island group off Western Australia is fighting charges he accessed protected waters and infrastructure without consent.
Fisherman Kristin Rodney Donald MacDonald has been on trial in Geraldton Magistrates Court this week.
He was charged with travelling to the Abrolhos Islands, a protected fish habitat off Geraldton, without notice, unlawfully using a jetty and failing to comply with directions by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development officers.
The 40-year-old also faced trespass, criminal damage, and breach of misconduct order charges but this week questioned the court's authority to hear the matter.
Most of the alleged offending was said to have happened on Uncle Margie Island within the Abrolhos Islands.
Access to the archipelago is closely monitored.
Mr MacDonald was accused of travelling to the island on his vessel All Torque without notifying authorities on May 10, 2021.
Department officers told the court they saw the boat tied to a jetty Mr MacDonald did not have permission to use, and he was subsequently given a direction prohibiting him from moving All Torque from the Geraldton fishing boat harbour.
Prosecutors allege Mr MacDonald and his boat were seen at the island the day after the direction was given, and on at least three more occasions in June and July, 2021.
The court was shown security camera vision of Mr MacDonald’s boat All Torque approaching a jetty on Uncle Margie Island at the archipelago.
A man who department officers identified as Mr MacDonald was seen leaving the vessel and coming onto the island.
He was accompanied by a group of adults and children on a number of occasions, with prosecutors alleging Mr MacDonald was conducting fishing charter tours after his license was cancelled.
The court was told Mr MacDonald had referred to himself as the "prince" of an Abrolhos Islands micronation.
Mr MacDonald said he had helped his father purchase parts of the jetty on Uncle Margie Island and was unaware the license had been transferred to another party until he was charged.
"[The jetty on Uncle Margie Island] was stolen from our family," Mr MacDonald said.
"I've been set up by Geraldton Fisheries."
He claimed he was "threatened" by the department and said a WA Fisheries officer had sent him "belittling" text messages.
He questioned the authority of the court to hear the matter.
"This is a matter of international law because the Abrolhos Islands falls outside of state waters," he said.
"I don't know whether this court does have jurisdiction [to hear the matter] because it doesn't have the imperial seal."
Mr MacDonald presented the court with letters to the then Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III outlining his claim of ownership of the islands.
Magistrate Heidi Watson said the letters "are not relevant" to the case and did not tender them as exhibits.
She said she would consider Mr MacDonald's claim over the islands as part of his legal argument.
Mr MacDonald said the court proceedings had affected his mental health and he was now trying to sell his boat.
Ms Watson reserved her decision.
She is expected to deliver her verdict on May 10.
Mr MacDonald will appear in court on other matters in December.
