Man chased, abused father

A TOOWOOMBA man who broke through security doors to threaten, abuse and nearly assault his adoptive father faces a stay in prison.

The 39-year-old, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Saturday to four charges including two breaches a police protection notice.

In a series of incidents that Magistrate Catherine Pirie described as “absolutely atrocious”, the defendant arrived at his father’s home on May 4 only to be told he was not welcome.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Julia Wheaton told the court the accused kicked through the front security door, chased his father through his house and destroyed the handle on the rear security door which the victim was holding shut.

“He’s overpowered his father and he’s pulled the door open. He’s then raised his right fist at him and motioned to punch him, but pulled his arm back at the last second without connecting with his adoptive father, who was at the time shielding his face with his arms,” Sen Constable Wheaton said.

“He’s then walked away, saying, ‘go f--- yourself’ before leaving.

“He’s later sent a text message to his adoptive father saying, ‘how does it feel to be cowering behind a door in your underwear like a little sissy b----?’.”

The second incident occurred on May 7 when the family found the defendant sitting on the front veranda.

Sen Constable Wheaton said the accused wanted to have a shower, which his father permitted.

“After a few minutes he’s gone and knocked on the bathroom door...then the defendant has yelled out, ‘when I get out of here, you’re a dead c---’,” she told the court.

Police found the defendant at Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre, possessing a folding knife.

David Burns Lawyers’ Amber Acreman told the magistrate her client had suffered a vicious cycle of mental health problems, previous drug use and homelessness following the breakdown of his business and relationship in 2016.

She said the defendant was now in a better space and in the process of moving into stable accommodation for the first time in four years.

“He was very angry and behaved in an inappropriate way, but at no point did he intend to carry out these threats,” Ms Acreman said.

But Magistrate Pirie denied his bail application, and flagged prison as a possible outcome.

“This behaviour is absolutely atrocious – it warrants actual custody,” she said.

The man has been remanded in custody pending his sentencing on June 8.