Anthony Christopher Charles: Dalby man pleads guilty to obstructing police, public nuisance
A Dalby father told police to “leave his sovereign land”, before he went under his house and returned with a 1.8m plank of wood, a court has heard.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Dalby father had to be capsicum sprayed by police after he armed himself with a plank of wood, while he screamed he was a “free black man”.
Police were forced to draw their tasers at Anthony Christopher Charles, after they attended an unrelated matter at a Dalby residence about 12.45am on April 13.
Dalby Magistrates Court heard on June 1 that the 42-year-old was detained by police after their arrival so they could conduct their investigations, and was advised to “settle down” while they completed their paperwork.
Police prosecutor sergeant Derek Brady said after Charles was told was free to leave, he began to yell at police and said he was a “free black man”, and that “police were corrupt”.
Charles began to walk around his yard and screamed out to his neighbours, asking them to come outside to see what was happening.
He told Dalby police to “leave his sovereign land”, before he went under his house and returned with a 1.8m plank of wood, Dalby Magistrates Court heard.
Sergeant Brady said he approached police with the weapon above his head, and continued to yell at them to leave.
Police presented tasers, with Charles eventually dropping the plank after several warnings.
The court heard he refused to be arrested, and made further threats towards police.
Charles was then restrained after police deployed capsicum spray.
Defence solicitor Michael McElhinney said the 42-year-old labourer and father was “extremely drunk” after a whiskey fuelled evening, with the incident occurring within his private property.
Magistrate Tracy Mossop said she found it offensive that Charles “armed” himself against police, but believed he suffered some “summary justice” after he was capsicum sprayed.
Charles pleaded guilty to obstructing police and committing a public nuisance, and was fined $800.
Convictions were recorded.
Drug or unlicensed drivers sentenced in Dalby Magistrates Court
From a driver caught breaching road rules twice in one day to a driver who was found unlicensed after his car caught fire, these are the most recent offenders who faced the Dalby Magistrates Court.
Everybody appearing at Dalby Magistrates Court, Tuesday, October 8
Here is a list of matters listed at Dalby Magistrates Court on Tuesday.