A Scientologist has launched private legal action to prevent a former member coming anywhere near her and the Church, with bizarre claims of harassment and intimidation.
But Aaron Saxton, an outspoken anti-Scientologist, yesterday told a Sydney court he did not even know who the woman was until a summons was served on him.
As he opposed an apprehended violence order yesterday, he said the case was designed purely to stop him exercising his right to free speech.
Mr Saxton, through independent senator Nick Xenophon, has alleged a litany of abuses during his time as a Scientology employee, but it was his contact with Sydney church member Sue Hunt that landed him as a defendant in court.
Ms Hunt, 45, claims she was outside Scientology's Sydney headquarters in Glebe on December 16 last year when she noticed Mr Saxton and a friend "loitering in an empty street with no obvious legitimate business to conduct."
In a document filed in Balmain Local Court she says she was "in fear for her safety" because "they were much bigger and stronger" than her, so she moved her car down the street.
A short time later, she claimed Mr Saxton and his friend - who was video taping the encounter - approached her and asked why she had moved her car.
"The applicant found this behaviour intimidating and threatening; she feared for her person and was alone and could not move from her position," the statement alleges.
Nothing further occurred, and Mr Saxton who denies anything untoward took place, told The Daily Telegraph outside the court that the whole episode was captured on his friend's video camera, which he would tender when the case went to hearing.
Magistrate Paul Falzon cast doubt on Ms Hunt's allegation, saying the court would have to be satisfied of a "reasonable apprehension" of a violent or intimidating act.
"Have you seen what happens to Nicole Kidman?" he quipped.
He said the matter was likely to descend into a "political bunfight" but set it down for a hearing later this month.
