Court told of towies’ gun ordeal

A VARSITY LAKES law student and electrician told two towies to “put my f---ing car down or I am going to shoot you in the head” and then put a replica gun in one of the men’s mouths, a court was told.

The tow truck drivers had been instructed to take Simon Peter Doughty’s van about 9.16pm on April 6, 2017 after repeated complaints about Doughty breaching parking regulations.

Doughty, 50, pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of possessing an unlawful weapon.

Crown prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher said Doughty had been contacted a number of times and told not to park his van in the area.

After no action was taken, the tow truck drivers were called to move the van.

When Doughty saw the pair arriving, he took out a replica gun and went outside.

Ms Gallagher said Doughty told the men: “Put my f--ing car down or I’m going to shoot you in the head.”

The court was told Doughty shoved the replica gun into one man’s temple.

He told the other man to get to his knees and face the van before putting the replica gun into the man’s mouth.

Ms Gallagher said Doughty gave the gun to a man who was staying in his home and told him he was getting another gun from his home.

The tow truck drivers were then able to run from the area.

Judge Katherine McGinness said the experience must have been “terrifying”.

She sentenced Doughty to 18 months prison with parole release today. But he will not be released as he is in custody on other unrelated matters.

Barrister John Fraser, instructed by Howden Saggers Lawyers, said it was “an unusual set of circumstances”.

Mr Fraser said Doughty was a trained electrician and printer and was studying law at the University of Southern Queensland at the time.