Man fined $880 for booing during Sydney Anzac Day Welcome to Country

A man who was charged for disrupting a Sydney Anzac Day dawn service by booing during a Welcome to Country has refused to apologise in front of a judge, as he pleaded guilty and was fined $880.

Eli Toby was charged with committing a nuisance in or on a war memorial after a group was heard booing during the early morning service at Martin Place this year.

He represented himself in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court and pleaded guilty.

The 24-year-old labourer asked Judge Greg Grogin to take into account that he had no criminal record, and when asked about his "thought process" he began reading from pre-prepared material.

Toby said his intention was not to be offensive to Aboriginal people and claimed his feelings towards the Welcome to Country was shared by 65 per cent of the population.

"Don't worry about the Australian population, worry about yourself," the judge replied.

Toby told the court that his actions were intended as a way to "stand for what I believed was the right thing at the time", describing the Welcome to Country as "over politicised".

Judge Grogin said attendees at the service were there to commemorate sadness, memories and show respect.

"Your booing did not assist that, did it?"

An apology refusal

The judge then asked Toby whether he was sorry for what he did.

"I'm sorry it has caused such an uproar, and I'm sorry to my family that it has caused such drama," Toby replied.

The judge then asked two more times whether he was sorry for what he did, saying it was "a yes or no" question.

Toby stood in silence before eventually replying "I don't have an answer" and "I have mixed feelings".

The court heard Toby previously worked as a security guard.

In sentencing, Judge Grogin said people were entitled to have their own beliefs, but members of the community also needed to "live with each other and respect each other".

"You said you didn't boo as a sign or activity to be offensive to the Indigenous or Aboriginal community, but you broke a silence," the judge said.

"There are plenty of ways you can express your dissent or dislike."

The judge took into account Toby had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, which allowed him a 25 per cent discount on sentence.

But the judge recorded a conviction.

"Your actions, especially that you're unable to say you're sorry for what you did, show an ignorance, if I can put it that way, as to what Anzac Day really means," Judge Grogin said.

"I hope that in your future you'll reflect on today, as those people who reflect on Anzac Day … and you'll refrain from upsetting so many people in the future."

Toby left the courthouse without making any comment.