Pizza gunman launches appeal
A MAN who pointed a gun at a Smithfield Domino’s pizza worker to get an apology has appealed his sentence.
Philip Raymond Willich was last month jailed for three years on eight charges including common assault, deprivation of liberty and the unlawful possession of a shortened firearm in public.
On October 21, 2015, Willich forced Isaac Ramsay to his knees with a gun to his head over a pizza discount.
Willich had been angry, so he went and confronted the staff member whose attitude he’d perceived as rude and abrupt over the phone.
He put an order in under a different name and then called Mr Ramsay outside seeking an apology.
When he was not forthcoming Willich drew the gun, which had been concealed under his clothes, and pointed it at Mr Ramsay’s head. While the gun wasn’t loaded, Mr Ramsay didn’t know that.
Cairns police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Lisa Buchanan said: “It is the most serious common assault I have seen to obtain an apology for not getting a discount on a takeaway pizza.”
Mr Ramsay, who was significantly affected by the attack, has not be able to resume work, has nightmares, paranoia and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic disorder.
A psychiatric report described Willich as having a low frustration tolerance and poor distress management as a result of his major depressive disorder and anxiety and alcohol abuse.
Willich was convicted and jailed for two years for both the common assault and deprivation of liberty charges and 12 months for the weapons offence, which was cumulative totalling three years.
Under Queensland law, Willich must spend at least 12 months in jail because of the weapons charge.
Willich’s lawyer Paul Richardson lodged an appeal on the grounds that “in all the circumstances the sentence imposed was manifestly excessive”. Watch the video online www.cairnspost.com.au