Judge in Prince Rupert, B.C., strikes arguments as ‘stupid’ in contempt case

PRINCE RUPERT - A provincial court judge in Prince Rupert, B.C., has sentenced a 46-year-old man to a year in jail for contempt of court, ruling he tried to circumvent the justice system with “pseudo-legal” and “stupid” arguments. In his reasons for sentence on the contempt charge, Paterson found Hardy displayed “flagrant disregard” for the court’s directions and orders. Days after his arrest, Hardy was released from custody under the condition that he wasn’t allowed within 10 metres of a Prince Rupert liquor store. In later virtual court appearances, Hardy repeatedly challenged the court’s jurisdiction over him, saying he was “not a person. “My ruling made no difference to Hardy,” Paterson’s ruling says.