FORMER Melville councillor Stephen Kepert has finally had his day in court to argue his defence against seven criminal charges laid by the state local government department.

Mr Kepert was a City of Melville councillor between 2017-2021 but lost his seat on council and then copped 36 charges in May 19 last yeara following a major falling out with the council’s administration. 

According to court documents all but two were for failing to vote while present at a council meeting, but they were later reduced to seven after the bulk were deemed to be the same offence.

During the fifth day of his lengthy and expensive trial there was heated debate over the difference between not voting and failing to vote in council.

Mr Kepert believes he had a legal exemption under the local government act by declaring an interest preventing him from being suitable to vote. He has consistently argued that he didn’t believe the City’s administration had been providing councillors with sufficient information to make decision.

When asked by the prosecutor if he had voted on a certain item Mr Kepert’s reply was “no” but he then tried to explain his reasoning to a clearly frustrated magistrate. 

The magistrate reserved his decision until September 11.

by CARLA LANE