George Edward Conway pleads guilty in Chinchilla Magistrates Court to possessing drugs, knife

A Chinchilla man carrying drugs and an assortment of knives and axes has fronted court for his strange behaviour after he was spotted approaching drivers at the McDonald’s traffic lights.

George Edward Conway pleaded guilty in Chinchilla Magistrates Court to possessing a dangerous drug and possessing a knife in public.

A Chinchilla man spotted carrying knives and axes and wearing a helmet told police he was protecting himself from people out to get him.

George Edward Conway pleaded guilty in Chinchilla Magistrates Court to possessing a dangerous drug and possessing a knife in public.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said on October 4 police officers received a call from a member of the public claiming there was a male person armed with a knife at an intersection near the McDonald’s Chinchilla.

“They said the male was trying to stop people when they slowed for the lights,” Mr Hutchins said.

He said police proceeded to the location and found the defendant at the intersection fitting the description.

“He was carrying a satchel over his shoulder, observed the handles of two objects coming out of the bag, later identified as axes,” the court was told.

“Police asked the defendant to remove the bag for safety reasons, he refused to do so.

“He wouldn’t follow instructions. He fell to the ground, there observed to be a knife.

“He was arrested and taken back to the Chinchilla police station where they searched his bag and found a folding knife, a small clip seal bag containing a (cannabis) bud.

“He stated the bag was his and everything in it belonged to him. When questioned about it, he said there were people after him. He was also wearing a bike helmet for protection.

“He wouldn’t tell police who the people were.”

During the search police located a total of three axes and two knives.

“You honour, there really are two logical conclusions to be made here. He’s either under the influence of a substance or he has some mental health issues.

“There’s no suggestion he was out there threatening people with these items, they were in his possession and people could see them.

“I note he has some history, but it could be dealt with by way of fines.

“Of course had he had been brandishing them or made any comments towards anyone other than what he said, that he’s carrying them for protection, which is not a lawful purpose I submit.

“He’s clearly had either an adverse reaction mentally or to a substance.”

Defence lawyer Michael Corbin said his client has six children and has “made good of his life”.

He told the court Conway works as a scaffolder and has maintained full time employment over the past seven years.

“He’s certainly made good of his life in the last several years,” Mr Corbin said.

“I did ask some questions about how his mental health was (he denied any mental health issues).

“He’s never been medicated before.

“He did tell me he had an argument with his wife earlier that day, he packed all his stuff up into the car, knew he couldn’t drive so he locked the car and walked off.

“He tells me he noticed a car following him and that was the thing he was concerned about and he didn’t provide those details to police.”

Acting magistrate Andrew Walker noted that while defendant was in court earlier this year and has some entries from four years ago, there has been a reduction in the amount of offending.

“It looks like you were in and out of court a fair bit ten years ago, but not so much recently, this is the second time this year, so let’s hope this doesn’t become a repeat matter,” Mr Walker said.

“If you had been doing anything with these weapons, it would be a lot different.

“You were charged simply for possessing them in a public place, you didn’t have an excuse to do so.

“And of course the cannabis, it doesn’t matter where you are, you’re not supposed to have that anyway.”

Conway was handed a single $500 fine for both offences.

Convictions were recorded.