A anti-Adani protester has been fined $1500 for assaulting a security guard at a Carmichael coal construction site in Central Queensland in September last year.

Canadian Michael Kyneston, 48, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm when the matter was heard in Clermont Magistrates Court yesterday.

A second protester – Sheridan Vautier, 23, – was expected to appear remotely, but failed to do so and her matter was adjourned until October 14.

In a statement today Adani said the physical assault occurred during a protest organised and publicised by anti-coal activist group Frontline Action on Coal (FLAC).

It was at a remote Adani rail construction site site near the Gregory Highway north of Clermont.

“In relation to Mr Kyneston’s case, the court heard that the Adani security guard moved in an attempt to prevent another protestor using a lock-on device called dragon sleeves to lock-on to, and disable, a piece of construction equipment,” a company spokeswoman said.

“The defendant then moved to try and prevent the security guard from stopping the lock-on protestor.

“The security guard was grabbed by Mr Kyneston and pulled away from the lock-on protestor, causing the security guard to fall down an embankment and sustain injuries to both wrists.

“The personal opinions of anti-mining activists do not put them above the law, or give them the right to harass, intimidate or even physically assault people who are legally going about their work, just trying to earn a living.

“This type of criminal protest behaviour shown by Mr Kyneston is pointless and a dangerous sideshow.”

Kyneston was fined $1500, with no conviction recorded.