Jailed for shooting threat

AN Ulverstone man with a history of violence has been sentenced to prison after a court heard he threatened to kill his neighbour “like he had done” to another man who has been missing for almost two decades.

Garry John Clarke, 53 (below), was sentenced to nine months in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault in relation to the incident in 2020. The court was shown footage in relation to the dispute in August 2020.

Neighbour Paul Martin’s home security cameras show Clarke arrived at Mr Martin’s house armed with a long weapon wrapped in a sheet and pointed it at the house.

His arrival followed a series of threatening texts including one in which he said he would put Mr Martin “under the ground like he did Lester Lee” and another showing a photograph of a real gun he claimed to have. Mr Lee was last seen in East Devonport in 2004.

Justice Tamara Jago said Clarke’s victim thought he had arrived at his home with a real weapon and had the capacity to kill him.

Mr Martin’s young daughter was home at the time.

The dispute between the neighbours started when Mr Martin’s dog attacked Clarke, causing injuries.

Clarke threw a rock through his neighbour’s window and started sending the threatening text messages.

“You positioned yourself outside with a long implement wrapped in a sheet and yelled “this is what you’re going to get. I’m going to f--king shoot you,” Justice Jago said in sentencing,

“Mr Martin’s victim impact statement showed he genuinely believed he and his daughter were at risk.

“Your criminal history … includes assaulting police, assaulting a pregnant woman and threatening police.”

Clarke was assessed for home detention but was ruled ineligible due to past domestic violence convictions.

Six months of his ninemonth sentence were suspended on the condition he commit no other violent offences over the next two years.