One Nation Senator Rodney Culleton’s larceny conviction annulled

One Nation’s Rodney Culleton has had his larceny conviction annulled in Armidale local court on Monday. The senator for Western Australia was arrested in northern NSW on the same day for allegedly stealing a $7.50 key from a tow truck driver attempting to repossess his car.

He was convicted after failing to attend a court hearing earlier this year. He was arrested after he attended court to have that conviction annulled.

Magistrate Michael Holmes granted Culleton’s application and annulled the larceny conviction, according to Fairfax Media. He adjourned the case to Sep. 12. The magistrate also mentioned to the court Culleton’s “colourful letter,” which the senator-elect sent. Apparently, Culleton labelled the Armidale court as “kangaroo court.”

When he left the courtroom, he exclaimed, “What a ripper,” the ABC notes. Culleton also told reporters the matter was a “joke” before his adviser pulled him away.

With the conviction annulled, he is free to continue his political aspiration. A conviction would have forced him to serve from two to five years’ sentence, which would have made him ineligible to serve in Parliament. However, the 52-year-old farmer isn’t cleared yet. He still faces new hearing for allegedly stealing a tow truck key from a driver who attempted in Guyra in NSW in April 2014.

He will also face trial in Perth for another case, which alleges he stole a $27,000 hire car in 2015. He was apparently trying to stop receivers from repossessing a friend’s farm. The four-day trial is scheduled to finish on Aug. 25, according to ABC. If he is convicted, he would be disqualified from taking office.

Culleton is one of four One Nation Party members elected in the senate. Party leader Pauline Hanson was elected for QLD, as well as Malcolm Roberts (QLD) and Brian Burston (NSW).