Dalby man Izaak Killeen sentenced in Toowoomba court for levelling gun at Warrego Hwy drivers

Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told a young Dalby dad decided it would be a good idea to point a replica firearm at other road users while travelling along a major Queensland highway. Here’s what it cost him.

A young Dalby father was fined $1000 for committing a chilling act with a realistic firearm replica while travelling along the Warrego Highway.

A young Dalby father has fronted Toowoomba Magistrates Court for committing a chilling act with a realistic replica firearm while travelling along the Warrego Highway.

The court was told Izaak Vincent Killeen was a passenger in a car when the incident occurred at Plainland on October 24, about 10.30am.

Police prosecutor Kinsley Weir said concerned members of the public called triple-0 after Killeen raised the fake gun at them while driving along the highway.

She noted a woman quickly pushed Killeen’s hand and the gun out of view.

A young Dalby father was fined $1000 for committing a chilling act with a realistic firearm replica while travelling along the Warrego Highway.

Senior Constable Weir said police immediately started searching the area for the car, which they soon tracked to Goonda, where Killeen jumped out of the car.

She said officers found the 22-year-old on the side of a no-through road and found the replica gun in his boot, and a knife in his belt.

He did not say why he had the weapons, or why he levelled the replica at members of the public.

The court was told the new father has a criminal record, however no prior weapons offences.

Solicitor Claire Graham said at the time of the incident, Killeen was abusing his prescribed medications valium and Lyrica, which he was also mixing with alcohol.

Mrs Graham noted it was a stressful time for Killeen, partly due to the impending birth of his child and unemployment.

She said Killeen planned to start a boilermaker’s apprenticeship.

Magistrate Louise Shephard told Killeen his actions were extremely foolish - firstly to possess such an item, and secondly to brandish it in public.

“I don’t know why you would even have this replica firearm,” she said.

Killeen pleaded guilty to carrying and exposing a weapon in public, possessing a knife in public, and was fined $1000.