Three days’ jail for magistrate punch threat

A ROOFER spent just three days in jail for threatening to “dog shot” a magistrate.

Chase Peter Danny Brooks, 21, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to making the threats during an appearance in the Coolangatta Magistrates Court for drug offences on February 26 last year.

Brooks was charged after his girlfriend began swearing loudly during his court appearance for the drug matters.

Magistrate Gary Finger placed her in custody for a couple of hours when the woman refused to remain quiet.

Prosecutor Denise Darwen yesterday said Brooks told the duty lawyer after the Coolangatta court proceedings that “if I see Magistrate Finger in the street I will dog shot him”.

Ms Darwen said when asked what a “dog shot” was, Brooks said it was punching someone in the back of the head. Brooks said to police he was “sorry for the s--- that came out of his mouth”, the court was told.

In his sentencing, Magistrate Mark Howden gave Brooks a stern lecture about the seriousness of his threats.

“It makes the job more difficult if people make threats,” he said. “It’s a horrible thing to say.”

Magistrate Howden said there was “no doubt” Magistrate Finger found the comments distressing.

“He wouldn’t have known if you meant it or not.”

Magistrate Howden said the threat did not warrant more punishment than three days in custody, which Brooks had already served.

Brooks’ barrister Nick McGhee, instructed by Ashkan Tai Lawyers, said Brooks had a troubled upbringing, and had been in custody since May last year in relation to a grievous bodily harm charge.

In a separate court yesterday, Brooks was also granted bail for the grievous bodily harm charge. He is accused of beating a man so badly at a Coomera service station his brain was exposed.

Brooks is alleged to have been part of a group which attacked another group of men on April 2 last year.

Judge Brian Deveraux granted bail, which included conditions Brooks abide by a curfew, report to police and reside with his mother.

Mr Deveraux granted bail after being given a summary of what happened in Brooks’ sentencing for threatening to punch Magistrate Finger.

IT MAKES THE JOB MORE DIFFICULT IF PEOPLE MAKE THREATS ... HE WOULDN’T HAVE KNOWN IF YOU MEANT IT OR NOT

MAGISTRATE MARK HOWDEN

BULLETIN VIEW, P74