Angry SA litigant spared jail over abuse

An enraged litigant who threatened to harm a barrister during a tribunal hearing has been spared jail and put on a bond banning him from being abusive in any legal hearing.

Markham Moore-McQuillan was described as being purple-faced when he yelled: "And if he gets up, I will f***ing stand on my feet and will knock him down".

The now-55-year-old, who had been involved in various claims against WorkCover for more than a decade, had been representing himself at an Adelaide Workers Compensation Tribunal hearing in October 2011.

A District Court jury later found him guilty of two of three aggravated charges of threatening harm at the hearing, but the Court of Criminal Appeal later overturned one count.

Those charges involved him saying "I know where you live" and telling the judge: "I wish you'd have a heart attack between now and then and then we can have f***ing justice done once and for all".

On Tuesday in the District Court, Judge David Lovell suspended a six month jail term, placing Moore-McQuillan on a three year good behaviour bond.

He ordered the university student not to behave in "any offensive, threatening, abusive or insulting manner" during any judicial proceedings.

"You have had a very longstanding disagreement with WorkCover," the judge said.

"You believe very passionately that they have treated you unfairly and you have also had trouble in the past with those lawyers acting for WorkCover."

The judge accepted that Moore-McQuillan gets frustrated in his legal dealings, but said he was capable of controlling his emotions.

"During the time I have had to deal with you throughout the trial and the sentencing process you have generally been polite and respectful towards me."

He also cited material which showed that, outside of his longstanding WorkCover problems, Moore-McQuillan had much ability and was well liked.