Richard John Wortley sentenced in Dalby Magistrates Court on multiple weapons offences

A wild foot chase through Dalby backyards has ended with tasers being pulled and a former A-grade footballer in cuffs.

A file image of knuckle dusters. Picture: NSW Police

A 32-year-old Dalby man has been released back into the community after being found with ammunition and a knuckle duster strapped to his chest.

Former Ipswich and Toowoomba A-grade footy player Richard John Wortley appeared in Oakey Magistrates Court via video from prison where he pleaded guilty to two counts of contravening a domestic violence order, one count of possessing a knuckle duster, one count of possessing ammunition and one count of obstructing police.

The court was told on March 28, 2025 police attended an address in relation to a domestic violence matter.

When police confronted Wortley he took off running, jumping fences and attempting to hide in a grassland area.

They took chase and one police officer was forced to draw their taser, but didn’t deploy it, with a second officer tackling Wortley.

After being detained police discovered a knuckle duster and four rounds of .22 calibre ammunition taped to his chest.

Wortley had a history of weapons offences being sentenced for possession of a handgun and .22 ammunition in 2022.

For his offences Wortley was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and immediately released on parole.

The knuckle dusters and the ammunition were also forfeited.

A conviction was recorded.