‘Do you want to die today?’: Bad trip builder John Paul Robinson bailed after LSD-trip led to alleged knife threat

A retired builder with no violent criminal history allegedly threatened a stranger with a knife in Gordonvale after taking an LSD trip.

FILE PHOTO: John Paul Robinson allegedly approached the random stranger near Norman Street in Gordonvale just before 5am on Thursday morning.

Police have told a Cairns court how a 56-year-old retired builder with no violent criminal history walked the streets in Gordonvale with a four-inch knife and asked a complete stranger, “do you want to die today?” after taking the hallucinogenic drug LSD.

Cairns Magistrates Court heard that John Paul Robinson had allegedly approached the random stranger near Norman Street in his home suburb just before 5am on Thursday morning, pulled out the black blade and allegedly asked if they wanted to die.

Police arrived a short-time later to arrest him.

Mr Robinson was charged with six offences including attempting to enter premises with intent to commit an indictable offence, unlawful possession of a weapon and going armed to cause fear.

Mr Robinson’s lawyer Peter Haarsma told the court his client took some “LSD” just after midnight on Thursday and had a bad reaction to the drug.

He said his client had first tried to get into a car to keep warm before making the threats.

He then tried to enter a business with the knife, Mr Haarsma said.

Magistrate Michael Dalton noted in deciding Mr Robinson’s bail application that the defendant’s criminal history was not in keeping with the alleged Thursday morning incident.

John Paul Robinson allegedly approached the random stranger near Norman Street in Gordonvale just before 5am on Thursday morning.

“He does not appear to be engaging in wilful and calculated behaviour. He was off his brain … he lost the plot and was walking around the streets,” Mr Dalton said.

“This was a drug-induced episode and not a general pattern of behaviour. It was an isolated incident, and you have reasonable prospects of receiving a non-custodial sentence.”

Mr Robinson medically retired from building with a heart condition after a lifetime of near-constant employment in 2020 and now receives a Disability Support Pension.

His only prior offences related to possession of cannabis and methamphetamine – the court heard the latter charge the Gordonvale man said came about because someone left two empty drug “wash-bags” in his vehicle which the police later found.

Police have confirmed that no one was physically injured during the incidents.

Mr Robinson will return to court on September 4.

Originally published as ‘Do you want to die today?’: Bad trip builder John Paul Robinson bailed after LSD-trip led to alleged knife threat