Hector Leonard Milligan in court for creating a public nuisance

A disability support worker lost his cool when he approached police at Hervey Bay’s Bunnings claiming he’d been attacked.

A man has been sentenced for causing a public nuisance at Bunnings.

A 59-year-old disability support worker with no criminal history created a disturbance at Bunnings while claiming he’d been attacked.

Hector Leonard Milligan pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Police prosecutor Kim Harwood said about 10.30am on August 7, police were at Hervey Bay’s Bunnings store as part of a community engagement program.

There was a stall and a police vehicle, she said.

Milligan approached the police in his white Mitsubishi ute and shouted abuse, swearing outside the driver’s side window at the officers.

Members of the public were present in the area, including an elderly couple who were speaking to police at the time, she said.

Police approached Milligan and told him to stop swearing in a public place, but he continued to swear and abuse police, stating that he had “called for help and no one had come”.

Police informed him they were not present during the altercation and asked him if he had called triple-0 for assistance.

The officers told Milligan he would be issued with an infringement notice for public nuisance if he continued, then directed him to hand over his licence.

Milligan refused and he was then directed to turn off his vehicle and exit it.

He appeared to put the vehicle in gear and attempted to remove the keys, the court heard.

Milligan was informed he was under arrest for public nuisance.

Hector Leonard Milligan pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He was warned if he continued his behaviour in a public place he may need to be restrained.

However Milligan continued to yell abuse and swear at police.

Another warning was made before Milligan was restrained and placed in a police car.

Defence lawyer Daniel Ould said his client had been married for 15 years and had worked as a disability support worker until July when he lost his job.

He had suffered from depression and anxiety, Mr Ould said.

In relation to the incident, Milligan had been assaulted, saw the police and thought he would get assistance from them.

“Obviously they were there for other purposes,” Mr Ould said.

“He became frustrated that he was seeking help in relation to being a victim of assault and he didn’t feel like he was being heard.

“He shouldn’t have acted the way he did.”

Mr Ould said Milligan was regretful and remorseful for acting the way he did.

He said the behaviour was out of character and his client had no previous criminal history at the age of 59.

“He has previously volunteered as well in the hospice through the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre,” Mr Ould said.

Milligan was hopeful of volunteering there again, he said.

Magistrate Trinity McGarvie said she was prepared to accept that the behaviour was outside of Milligan’s usual behaviour.

But she said police and the wider public should not have been subjected to Milligan’s behaviour.

Milligan was fined $450 and no conviction was recorded.

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