Andrew Keith Taylor sentenced for four counts of assault against police officers in Riverland stand-off

A drunk businessman told a police officer he’d “f***ing kill him” while pointing a rifle at him during an intense stand-off in the Riverland.

A drunk Riverland businessman traumatised police officers after he threatened them with a rifle during an intense stand-off.

Andrew Keith Taylor, 54, was sentenced for his “reckless and self-absorbed” behaviour that left police fearing for their lives.

During sentencing, the District Court heard a couple entered Taylor’s second-hand shop at Glossop on January 21, 2021.

Taylor told them to leave.

“You repeated your direction and lifted up what looked like a firearm,” Judge Liesl Kudelka said.

The homemade gun Taylor used during the stand-off. Photo: Courts SA

“You said to them ‘Ring the cops, I’m ready for a shootout’.”

The couple left the store and called police.

The court heard Constables Fowler and Walters arrived on scene and saw Taylor holding what they thought was a rifle.

Taylor’s store where the incident happened. Photo: Courts SA

Taylor’s store where the incident happened. Photo: Courts SA

Taylor then pointed the firearm at Cst Fowler who took cover behind a police car.

Senior Constable Cusack then arrived and as he got out of the police car he saw Taylor standing outside the store pointing the rifle at him.

Cst Fowler tried to negotiate with Taylor but he pointed the rifle at him, saying “If you come near me I’ll f***ing kill ya”.

Taylor then levelled the rifle at Sergeant Wright after noticing him approaching.

After Csts Cusack and Fowler realised the rifle did not appear to have a bolt fitted they decided it was inoperable and subdued and arrested Taylor.

Taylor pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated assault.

Andrew Taylor was sentenced for four counts of assault. Photo: Facebook

He was released after spending over two years in custody. Photo: Facebook

The court heard Cst Walters, who had been a police officer for five-and-a-half years said the incident was the most confronting that he had faced and described Taylor’s actions as reckless and self-absorbed.

“He says through his previous dealings with you as a police officer he would describe your actions, views and greater understanding of the world as warped, to put it mildly,” Judge Kudelka said.

Snr-Cst Cusack who now suffers from post-traumatic stress order said he was in fear that the firearm was real and Taylor was capable of firing it.

“He remembers clearly waiting to hear the sound of a round being fired and hoping that it would miss,” Judge Kudelka said.

The court heard Taylor, who was a grandfather, had a longstanding alcohol problem and was drunk at the time of the offending.

“There is no doubt from the circumstances of your offending that you were not mentally well that day,” Judge Kudelka said.

Judge Kudelka sentenced Taylor to two years and four months jail.

Due to the time Taylor had already spent in custody, it meant he was eligible for release.