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An internationally acclaimed British scientist has
just been sentenced to nine months weekend detention
yesterday after he was convicted of daubing an anti-war
slogan across the top of Sydney Opera House.
Will Saunders, one of the world's leading
cosmologists, and David Burgess, an Australian, were
also ordered to pay nearly £46000 (Euro67,700
or $85,000) compensation for writing the words "no
war" in thick red paint across the landmark's
highest sail.
 Dr.
Saunders, 42, who previously lived in Hammersmith,
West London, moved to Australian three years ago after
working at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh.
The New South Wales District Court was told that
he was a well respected figure in astronomy and has
recently received more than 2000 international citations
for his work.
He is now a research astronomer at the Anglo-Australian
Observatory at Coonabarabran in New South Wales.
 The
protest was carried out on the eve of last year's
war in Iraq. Handing down the sentence, Justice Anthony
Blackmore said that it did not matter if the graffiti
were done to make a political statement, their act
was still malicious damage. "Whether it was caused
by an irresponsible drunken man or one making a serious
political point, it makes little difference."
he added.
Both men are to appeal against their conviction and
sentence. At the start of the hearing the pair handed
in a cheque for more than £16,000 to the Sydney
Opera House Trust.
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The
other reason the mail caught my eye is that image
of Dr. Will Saunders standing with a slightly pained
face looking up into the distance. My mind went
back to 1st June 1985 and the very first day that
I arrived in Italy after a three day journey across
Europe on an old Cossack motorbike and sidecar.
My companion in that (for me) life changing journey
was none other than that same Dr.Will Saunders.
