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Hinch denies fan plea to pay contempt fine

Broadcaster Derryn Hinch says he's not asking fans help pay his $100,000 contempt of court fine, though he's getting offers to help cover court costs.

Hinch to fight contempt charges
Derryn Hinch. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Broadcaster Derryn Hinch has denied he's asked his fans to pay off a giant contempt of court fine, but he won't turn down any offers to cover his legal bills.

Hinch has to pay $100,000 within three months or will be jailed for contempt of court.

The court heard the veteran journalist has a net value of $1.18 million and an annual income of $212,000.

But Hinch pointed out on Twitter on Saturday that he's getting offers to cover his court costs and legal fees.

He then provided an email address for an assistant as a contact for such inquiries.

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Within hours, he was clarifying that his tweet didn't mean he was asking for donations to pay off the contempt fine.

"Claims I've made Twitter plea to help pay contempt fine. Not true," he tweeted.

"I've not asked for help to pay fine. Would not accept $$. People offered to help with court costs. I thank them."

He wrote that if the donations he receives are bigger than his legal fees he'll give the money to charity.

Victorian Supreme Court Justice Stephen Kaye criticised Hinch on Friday as a grossly irresponsible journalist while sentencing him for his sixth conviction for contempt of court and related offences.

Hinch had breached a court suppression order when he published details on his blog about Adrian Ernest Bayley, including that he was on bail and parole when he murdered Melbourne woman Jill Meagher.

Hinch admits the huge fine will "hurt like hell" and he apologised for offending the court.


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