REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Friday, April 25, 1985

A FORMER Sydney man who produced a loaded rifle on the ninth floor of the Gold Coast Hospital was sentenced to six months’ jail.

The Southport District Court was told that John Hadley Parks, 24, entered the hospital with the rifle hidden under his coat. He and was later heard to say over the telephone: “I’ve got the ninth floor hostage and the nurse.”

Parks’ barrister Mr Kim Kilvington said his client had previously attempted suicide and wanted to “go out in a blaze of glory”.

Parks, a sandblaster and former journalist, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful assault.

Crown prosecutor Mr Michael Byrne told the court that about 12.30am on November 17, 1985, Parks entered the foyer of the Gold Coast Hospital with a rifle under his coat.

A staff member, Harry John Pickard, saw him and arranged for the police to be called.

Mr Pickard searched the hospital and got to the ninth floor when he heard the sound of a rifle being loaded and cocked. Mr Byrne said Parks stepped forward, pointed the rifle at Mr Pickard and told him to go away.

Mr Pickard had later told police he was in fear for his life.

Honora Graham, a nurse, had been walking towards the nurses’ station when she saw Parks in the darkness of the corridor.

She told him if he wanted drugs she would get them for him, but Parks had pointed the rifle at her and told her that was not what he wanted.

She then left saying she had to check a drip.