Drunken threat to police

A GEELONG man says he had too much to drink when he made a “silly” decision to call a police station and threaten to shoot an officer.

Tony Grgurovic, 58, had consumed a slab of beer before he dialled the number for Heidelberg police station about 3.20am on October 12, 2020.

The call was answered by a policewoman who listened in shock as the Corio man spoke of a desire to shoot one of her male colleagues, who had previous dealings with Grgurovic.

“I’m going to lose my mind … he’s high on my hit list,” Grgurovic stated during the call.

“I’d take my gun out and shoot him with it. I’m ready, locked and loaded.

“I’m not scared of the consequences. My threats carry through.”

Grgurovic was arrested weeks later after checks revealed he had called the station with his personal phone.

He told police he could not remember what he said during the call, but was remorseful and stated that it occurred while he was drunk.

“It was just silly,” he said.

Grgurovic was sentenced on Thursday to a good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to making threats.

Defence lawyer Ron Davis told Geelong Magistrates Court his client was ashamed of the conduct.

“There was a lot of alcohol consumed during the day,” he said.

“At three o’clock in the morning he foolishly thought it was a good idea to call the police station and make those comments.

“He regrets doing it and he’s very remorseful. He isn’t normally someone who acts like this.”

Magistrate Simon Guthrie said Grgurovic’s behaviour was deplorable.

“I consider it to be incredibly serious offending,” he said.

“Even though it might be for some reason alcohol-fuelled, it doesn’t make it any better.

“That is absolutely no excuse for ringing at 3.20am and engaging in a conversation of threats to a police officer who is merely doing their job.”

Grgurovic was put on a 12month good behaviour bond, without conviction, and ordered to pay fines totalling $1000.