First day of trial for man who allegedly shot gun at a Redlynch home also charged with common assault and strangulation

A man who prosecutors say got into his car while drinking after a fight with his wife allegedly shot a rifle outside their Redlynch home more than five times, a court heard on the first day of his trial. Read what happened in court.

A man who allegedly got into his car while drinking after a fight with his wife allegedly shot a rifle outside their Redlynch home more than five times, a court heard on the first day of a trial.

The defendant who could not be named as it would identify his victims, pleaded not guilty to one count of strangulation in a domestic setting, four counts of common assault, one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle, one count of choking, one count of dangerous conduct with a weapon and one count of threat.

Crown prosecutor Farook Anoozer made his opening address about the events between December 2019 and March 2020.

He detailed multiple instances where the defendant’s partner was allegedly assaulted and another instance where their teenage son was allegedly assaulted in their Redlynch home.

A man allegedly shot a gun more than five times outside a Redlynch home.

On one occasion Mr Anoozer said the couple were arguing on February 16, 2020 and the defendant left the house to get a beer.

“He again returned and went into the shed before getting back in his car drinking. By this time it was very late,” he said.

“(His partner) heard the defendant shoot. She will tell you she heard him shoot a rifle.”

Mr Anoozer said the woman ran downstairs to see that her husband hadn’t shot himself.

“He grabbed the gun, got out of the car, pushed her away and he walked towards her. When he walked she raised her hands in defence,” he said.

“She raised her hands above her head and was frozen in fear.

“He fired four shots into a car parked in the property. After he fired four shots he said ‘now that is shooting shit.’”

The partner ran inside then heard another shot outside, the prosecution alleged.

After a little bit Mr Anoozer said the court would hear they saw police drive past.

“They went past them then did a U-turn and came back. As the police were doing a U-turn the defendant told (his partner) ‘if you want me gone, tell them I’ve got a gun and I’ll come out guns blazing and I’ll shoot them.’ He said that and ran back inside.”

The first day of a trial has started at Cairns Courthouse. Picture: Brendan Radke.

Mr Anoozer said the court would hear the police spoke to her but she did not report what had happened because she was scared police would get shot.

When the defendant came back he made his partner clean the gun residue in case police came back, the prosecution alleged.

Mr Anoozer said the court would hear on March 5, 2020 the defendant sprayed deodorant at his partner.

The court heard she had grabbed a bread knife as a defence and he had a gun.

“She ran to the lounge room, she was trying to get the kids, next second she was face down and there was a gun underneath her chin. She could see the gun barrel from the corner of her eye,” he said.

During that incident Mr Anoozer said the woman went to Redlynch shopping centre and got a nearby store to call the police.

Mr Anoozer said when the police questioned him about it he said he used the deodorant spray as a defence and denied using a gun at any point.

After his address Mr Anoozer went to play a prerecorded video of the complainant in closed court.

The trial will resume on Wednesday, October 19 before Judge Fantin.

Originally published as First day of trial for man who allegedly shot gun at a Redlynch home also charged with common assault and strangulation