The danger lay in the fact they had chained themselves to a conveyor belt.

"If one of the Southern Meats' employees had of entered through another door and started the conveyor belt to warm it up like they usually do, it would have resulted in extreme danger," Magistrate Geraldine Beattie said.

Isobel Bonello, 21, of Sydney, pleaded guilty to entering inclosed lands and interfering with the conduct of business and two counts of resisting or hindering police in the execution of their duty when she appeared in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday, May 29.

Police facts tendered in court stated that at 2am on April 8, a group of nine people entered the Southern Meats facility after the gate was opened.

They avoided detection until 4am, when it was discovered they had chained themselves to a conveyor belt used during the slaughter process.

Police were contacted at 4.20am and arrived shortly afterwards. Chief Inspector John Sheehan (wearing body worn video camera) asked the protesters to remove the chains and warned them that failure to do so may result in arrest.

They failed to do so and Police Rescue was called to assist in cutting the chains, which were under PVC piping on their arms.

Bonello was one of them and after she had been removed from her restraints she refused to stand or walk despite being asked to do so numerous times by police. They then had to carry her down two flights of stairs and out to a police vehicle, causing risk of injury to them and her.

In court, Bonello's solicitor said her decision not to move when asked to by police was "because she was in shock."

"She froze when she was required to walk, which was why she had to be carried out," the solicitor said.

"She cannot explain her actions otherwise. It was not a willful attempt to resist police."

The solicitor said Bonello's actions on that day were based on her desire to help animals.

"She works part-time for the RSPCA and her actions were fueled by her deep commitment to animals," the solicitor said.

"When she heard that animals were going to the slaughter she felt an overwhelming sense of duty to help them."

The solicitor said Bonello was now remorseful for her actions on that day.

"Having time to reflect, she would not do it again," the solicitor said.

She asked that a conviction not be recorded against her.

But Magistrate Geraldine Beattie said a conviction was necessary to deter others from carrying out such actions.

"If one of the Southern Meats employees had have entered through another door and started the conveyor belt to warm it up like they usually do, it would have resulted in extreme danger," Magistrate Beattie said.

"Like eight of the other offenders, you have no connection to Goulburn and you travelled all the way down here to break the law.

"The submission refers to you being in shock or freezing when asked to move by police, but the agreed police facts state you refused to stand or walk when asked to do so by them.

"On refusing to stand or walk you have kept resisting. That is the most serious of the offences before me.

"Regarding your decision to join in illegal activities, you say it was an impulsive decision, but you made it knowing there were going to be illegal activities.

"General deterrence is required to stop others thinking about taking these actions."

She fined Bonello a total of $2250, placed her on an 18-month Community Corrections order and ordered her to pay compensation of $621 to Southern Meats and $52 to NSW Police.

Two other protesters were convicted in the same court on May 29.

Massimo Xavier Bedoya, 22, of Sydney pleaded guilty to entering inclosed lands and interfering with the conduct of business and resisting or hindering police in the execution of their duty.

His solicitor said his offending was on the lower end of the scale as he was not involved in the planning of the protest and he did not engage in any further action after being spoken to by police.

Magistrate Beattie fined him a total of $1050 and ordered him to pay compensation of $621 to Southern Meats and $52 to NSW Police.

Kaj McBeth, 22, of Sydney, also pleaded guilty to guilty to entering inclosed lands and interfering with the conduct of business and resisting or hindering police in the execution of their duty.

In sentencing McBeth, Magistrate Beattie reiterated the danger of the protest action.

"By sheer luck, an employee did not hit the switch that day. What you did was dangerous and I don't think that any of you appreciate that," she said.

"There are lawful ways to protest."

She fined him a total of $1050 and ordered him to pay compensation of $621 to Southern Meats and $52 to NSW Police.

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