Spear gun street stoush

Father of five put on probation over neighbour confrontation

A NEIGHBOURHOOD dispute that resulted in a showdown between one man armed with a spear gun and another holding a sword has landed a Townsville father in court.

Police were called to a disturbance in a Rasmussen street at 5.30pm on October 20 following reports there were three men in the middle of the road, with one of them holding a spear gun.

Allan Samuel Lee Walsh pleaded guilty to going armed so as to cause fear from the dock of the Townsville Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Police prosecutor Jordan Theed said Walsh had pointed the spear gun at a neighbour before the man pulled out a sword and told Walsh “you better not miss”.

Walsh, who was drunk at the time of the offence, went back to his home and hid the spear gun.

When police spoke with Walsh he first claimed not to have owned a spear gun, but later admitted to it.

Mr Theed said Walsh was unable to be interviewed at the time because of his intoxication, and told Magistrate Ken Taylor the neighbours had felt it “necessary” to arm themselves.

Walsh’s lawyer agreed the offending was serious, and aggravated by a criminal history involving a previous offence involving violence.

But it was argued Walsh had been working to curb his drinking problem and had not offended in more than two years.

The court was told Walsh was a father of five and that the spear gun had been removed from his possession.

Mr Taylor said Walsh’s “carrying on” was “confusing” considering he was a father of five young children.

In sentencing, Mr Taylor said Walsh would benefit from a term of probation during which he could access support for his alcohol use, and that it would serve as a “chance” to deter further offending.

Walsh was sentenced to 18 months’ probation, with a conviction recorded.