Gun shop owner’s guilty plea
A FORMER gun shop owner who allegedly shot a woman in the face has had his attempted murder charge replaced.
Shane Anthony Cregan appeared in the dock of the Townsville Supreme Court on Tuesday before Justice David North.
Cregan was arraigned and pleaded guilty to three charges, including enter premises with intent to commit an indictable offence, one count of committing a malicious act with intent and assault occasioning bodily harm while armed.
The charge of attempt to murder was discharged.
It is alleged that at 8am on November 20, 2019, Cregan shot a woman once in the face at a Rangewood home – after an apparent business arrangement went south.
Cregan then allegedly wrestled with the woman, until she crawled under a car to escape.
Her husband was also injured in the incident, after trying to fight off Cregan.
Cregan, who part-owned the Townsville Gun Shop until 2016, is also alleged to have hit a good Samaritan tradie over the head with a hammer, after he went to the home to investigate the commotion.
The woman, as well as her husband, and the tradesman struck on the head were taken to hospital.
In court, defence lawyer Jamie Scuderi requested Cregan’s matter proceed to sentence, but said due to delays in the completion of a psychologist’s report, it would be six months until the sentence could be finalised.
Ms Scuderi said despite the delay, Cregan was not at risk of spending too much time in custody on remand.
Justice North said delays in psychologist and psychiatrist’s reports were “becoming a matter of concern”.
He voiced concerns that there would be “injustices” done due to the delays.
A sentence was listed for April 8, 2022. Cregan was remanded in custody.