Elderly spooked in ice-fuelled rampage

A MAN hired to fell a tree in Gatton went on a bizarre rampage, leaving a trail of destruction and three men terrorised.

The incidents unfolded on December 19, 2019, when Anthony John Judd was hired to cut down a tree at a Crescent St property in Gatton.

A 34-year-old man at the property left for about 20 minutes about 8.30am, after Judd started working.

“Upon his return, he has observed that the external wall and side of the shed at that dwelling has been smashed,” Police Prosecutor Al Windsor told the Gatton Magistrate’s Court.

This was only the beginning of Judd’s violent actions, with a second incident taking place about 8.55am outside the Gatton Post Office.

The second victim was a 80year-old man who Judd attacked in his car.

“He states the male person used the (metal) wedge to scratch his vehicle’s driver side from the boot to the bonnet, the entire length of the vehicle,” Sgt Windsor said.

Judd used the wedge to break the window and further accost the driver.

“He has pushed the victim back into his vehicle, and threatened to cut his throat.”

Judd was involved in another incident at 9.38am, when he entered the rear yard of another 76-year-old man.

The court heard Judd used a chainsaw to cut down two mature mango trees.

“They fell on the victim’s clothesline, causing it to bend,” Sgt Windsor said.

“The victim has yelled at the male person to stop, at which point he has thrown a large metal wedge at him, striking the wall near him.”

This was followed by Judd smashing the rear windscreen of the man’s vehicle.

He still had the running chainsaw when police arrived.

Judd’s defence said he had split with his partner in the time prior to the incident, and “mixed with the wrong crowd”.

He confessed to using ice the night before the incidents took place, which his defence argued might have contributed to his “psychotic episode”, as he was not a regular user.

Judd expressed his remorse for the behaviour, and pleaded guilty to six charges: going armed so as to cause fear, two counts of serious assault of a person over 60, and three counts of wilful damage.

“This is quite concerning, these six charges,” Magistrate Graham Lee said.

“Two elderly gentlemen, and you’ve basically gone and made their life hell.

“Had you had any criminal history, you’d be looking at something far more serious.”

He was fined $2000, ordered to pay $3777.80 for the damaged car and his conviction was not recorded.