Crows Nest man Abel Cloots attacks cop, elderly man, threatens to kill dog

A woman called police after her neighbour threatened to kill her dog. He then attacked an elderly man with a fire poker, as well as a police officer who came to the elderly man’s aid.

Police look for the driver of a Toyota Landcruiser utility that crashed at Long and Geddes Streets. Sunday, April 16, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

A Darling Downs man who went on a violent tirade against his neighbours before attacking a police officer who came to their aid had been sentenced to a suspended jail term.

The Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard the 55-year-old Crows Nest man’s mental health and cannabis use contributed to the offending on April 30, 2024.

The man, Abel Phillip Theodore Cloots, fronted the court on Monday, May 26, and pleaded guilty to six charges, which included the serious assault of a police officer, assault of a person in their 60s, going armed to cause fear, knife possession, and public nuisance.

Police prosecutor Chris Willson said the incident occurred after an elderly woman (Cloots’ neighbour) had called police because the man had threatened to kill her dog, while yelling abuse, and banging on his fence.

55-year-old Crows Nest man Abel Phillip Theodore Cloots fronted Toowoomba Court in May, pleading guilty to a raft of violent offences.

Police soon arrived, however Cloots couldn’t be roused from his home, which residents said was normal and that he’d re-emerge as soon as the officer left.

Prosecutor Willson said the office lay in wait down the road, and as expected, Cloots re-emerged armed with a fire poker.

He said the officer saw Cloots attack a man with the metal rod as the man, who was in his 60s, spoke with another neighbour at her fence.

The officer broke up a scuffle between the pair and told Cloots he was under arrest, however the men returned to his home.

While the officer was unlocking the wagon in preparation for the arrest, Prosecutor Willson said Cloots charged at him, forcing the deployment of a taser.

Cloots continued, attacking the officer with the stoker, however he was eventually subdued by the solo officer, who located a large flip knife in the man’s pocket during the arrest.

The court heard Cloots’ mental health was assessed and cleared by a hospital before he was taken to the watch house and charged.

At the time, Cloots was on probation order for going armed to cause fear, however the court heard Cloots was not engaging with the order requirements in any meaningful way, which included mental health support.

Cloots was sentenced to a nine-month jail term, to be suspended for two years to provide him with supervision and support.

Originally published as Crows Nest man Abel Cloots attacks cop, elderly man, threatens to kill dog