Weapons for ‘pest control’
A HIGHLY decorated former army sniper had weapon silencers and pepper spray in his Paradise Point home to help shoot pigeons, a court was told.
Robert Marchment, 37, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to two charges of unlawfully possessing weapons.
The magistrate described his crimes as a “dreadful mistake” in a “climate of anxiety”.
Marchment came to prominence when the Australian Federal Police raided his home on July 5, shutting down the quiet street.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Reece Foort told the court a number of explosives, including fireworks, were found.
He said the army was called in to help deal with the explosives.
The court heard Queensland police found “metal tubular suppressors” as well as selector switches used to convert a toy BB gun with plastic bullets from semiautomatic to automatic. A ballistic vest and pepper spray were also found.
The court was told the AFP raided the home after Marchment allegedly ordered the switches online.
He has not been charged with the importation.
Magistrate Pamela Dowse fined Marchment $1000.
“I am very impressed by all your credentials and service to country,” she said.
“It’s a shame you made such a dreadful mistake especially in this climate of anxiety you are all suffering.”
Marchment’s lawyer Francis Martin said Marchment had spent 13 years serving in the army in explosives reconnaissance.
He said during that time Marchment had done tours of East Timor and Afghanistan.
Marchment became a marksman and earned gold medals for shooting in defence force games. Mr Martin said Marchment now worked in pest control, including for Gympie Shire Council.
“(There is) a lot of firing at pigeons and that is why he had the suppressors, for suppressing noise,” he said.
The court was told Marchment made the suppressors.
Mr Martin said the pepper spray was also used for wild dogs. Marchment had the ballistic vest “left over from his army days”.
“He had put that into storage,” Mr Martin said.
“He didn’t hand it back.” Mr Martin said Marchment also worked as an armed security guard.
No conviction recorded.
IT’S A SHAME YOU MADE SUCH A DREADFUL MISTAKE ESPECIALLY IN THIS CLIMATE OF ANXIETY YOU ARE ALL SUFFERING
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