Siege man gets jail time

A MAN responsible for a 14hour siege in Moonah in 2016, and who shot at a police officer twice during the siege, has been sentenced to 4½ years’ jail.

Paul Hutchinson, 48, of Moonah, pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated assault and one count of recklessly discharging a firearm.

The Supreme Court in Hobart yesterday heard Hutchinson, who has a longstanding leg injury, was struggling to cope with life after his pain medication was reduced.

Chief Justice Alan Blow said that on November 27, 2016, Hutchinson had a fight with his housemate.

“His dog bit the housemate, his housemate called police,” Chief Justice Blow said.

He said Hutchinson had been drinking alcohol, had consumed cannabis and had taken morphine he had been prescribed for his leg.

Chief Justice Blow said after police arrived, Hutchinson threatened officers with a single barrelled shotgun, and said he would shoot the first person who came through the door.

“Over the next couple of hours, Mr Hutchinson pointed his shotgun at individual police officers four times,” he said.

“A number of police officers found themselves at risk of being shot by Mr Hutchinson.”

Chief Justice Blow said Hutchinson fired two shots at an officer approaching the house in an armoured vehicle.

The court heard neighbours were evacuated on the night.

It was about 7am the next morning when Hutchinson agreed to surrender, 14 hours after police arrived.

Chief Justice Blow said Hutchinson acknowledged there was no excuse for his conduct and he hoped to “get his life in order” after he is released from prison.

He said a psychiatrist had found Hutchinson had a chronic pain problem that had deteriorated into a narcotic dependence problem.

The court heard Hutchinson went to hospital two days before the siege because of his leg pain and asked to see a psychiatrist but his request was refused.

Hutchinson was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, backdated to November 28, 2016 when he was first taken into custody.

He can apply for parole after serving half of that sentence.