Man lucky no one hurt during siege

A SIX-HOUR siege in a rural town could have ended in tragedy, when a man brandished what appeared to be a sawn-off rifle and a bat with nails protruding from it, at police.

Zachary William Richards, 28, also threatened to shoot himself and then assaulted police at the end of the standoff, but has narrowly avoided spending further time in jail.

Richards faced the Kingaroy District Court, charged with three counts of serious assault and one count of serious assault occasioning bodily harm in relation to the standoff on February 12 in Kingaroy.

Police were called to Richards’ property by his mother for a welfare check late in the evening, where Richards confronted them carrying a beer bottle and a bat with nails protruding from it.

The court was told Richards told police he had consumed “about 50” Xanax tablets prior to the incident.

Richards threatened he would get his gun, before entering his home and returning with a “wooden firearm stock with silver tape wrapped around the front” which appeared to be a shortened rifle.

He pointed the stock at police and then at his head before shouting “I’ll f---ing shoot myself if you don’t leave”.

Police negotiated with Richards until 5.15am the next day, when he was arrested.

Barrister James Benjamin told the court his client has a “history of complex mental health problems, compounded by low intelligence and severe communication and comprehension difficulties”.

He said he was supported by his partner of four years, and had since been placed on medication, was engaging with a local GP for further assistance and had gained casual work.

Judge Orazio Rinaudo told Richards he was fortunate the incident didn’t end in tragedy.

Richards was sentenced to 18 months in jail, but was released on immediate parole.