An Adelaide pensioner has been fined over $120,000 after he ignored court orders to dismantle an illegal cheese-making setup in his backyard.
John Kitsis was found guilty of contempt of court in February after he ‘wilfully disobeyed’ orders from the Environment, Resources and Development Court to remove dairy manufacturing equipment from his West Croydon home.
In a ruling published in December, it was revealed the pensioner was first ordered to remove the equipment in March 2020, but only complied in June 2025 – several months after his conviction.
‘This contempt is at the higher end of seriousness,’ Judge Michael Durrant said. ‘The orders were made in 2020 and required compliance within 30 days.’
It’s believed the City of Charles Sturt Council was first alerted to the cheese-making equipment in April 2018, after a neighbour allegedly complained.
Kitsis, along with his son Paul – who ran for mayor of Charles Sturt that year – told council officers they had approval to operate a cheese business but hadn’t started trading.
But during an inspection in September 2018, council staff noted that a garage and rumpus room located at the rear of the property had been converted into a ‘self-contained unit with built-in cooking appliances and laundry facilities’.
While it has not been confirmed what cheese the father and son were making, some reports suggest it was halloumi.
The case was heard at the the Environment, Resources and Development Court in Adelaide
Kitsis had converted the garage and a rumpus room into a place he could make the cheese (stock image)
The court heard Kitsis had ‘continually ignored’ council orders and even landed himself in jail after failing to appear in court.
‘His non-compliance was wilful,’ Judge Michael Durrant said.
‘As for any benefit he had received from his contempt, Mr Kitsis told me while he had operated a cheese-making business from the premises, it had never got up and running. He said the business was unsuccessful and achieved no sales.’
Judge Durrant said he gave little weight to Kitsis’ ‘last minute’ apology but given he had limited income and was elderly, he declined to impose any penalty beyond the time already served in custody.
However, many Aussies jumped to Kitsis’ defence, calling the court’s pursuit as a ‘waste of time and money’ and an example of government overreach.
‘Good to know the justice system works for really grievous crimes that affect our community. We can all feel safe and protected now,’ one person wrote on Reddit.
‘The man is on a pension. Could have fined him $20million, he’ll pay $15 a week,’ another person commented.
However, others said they agreed with the court’s decision.
While its not known what cheese Kitsis was making, some reports suggest it was halloumi
‘There was likely some waste or public health requirement that wasn’t being complied with,’ one person shared.
‘Not disposing of waste or runoff properly, or excessive odour, or attracting vermin does affect the community and he would have had lots of opportunity to rectify this but chose not to.’
Others couldn’t resist the opportunity to share a cheese pun, with one joking about the ‘wheelie big fine’ Kitsis now faces.
‘Let the man go, brie of charge,’ one person joked, while another replied, ‘Ignoring the court, that’s not gouda.’
‘Surely there must have been [a] feta way to punish him.’