Tony James Northover in court for going armed to cause fear

A former chef who told a holiday-maker he would put a dagger in his head, and brandished a samurai sword at a popular caravan park, has fronted a Hervey Bay court.

Tony James Northover leaves Hervey Bay Magistrates Court

A Urangan man who threatened to “jam” a dagger in the head of a holiday-maker at a Urangan caravan park has been sentenced.

Tony James Northover, 44, pleaded guilty in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court to six charges including possessing a knife in a public place, going armed to cause fear, trespassing, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing utensils on Thursday morning.

At 5.15pm on December 28 last year police were called to the Harbour View Caravan Park after reports of Northover threatening a 50-year-old man with a dagger.

“Witnesses told police that a man had approached the victim and told him if he did not stop what he was doing he would jam the knife in his head,” Police prosecutor Louese McConnell told the court.

Bystanders also saw Northover walking around the caravan park with a samurai sword and told officers he looked intoxicated.

Police found Northover nearby.

The court was told they arrested him and transported him to Hervey Bay Police Station, where he was charged.

In a separate incident in Biggenden, the 44-year-old had been staying at the house of a relative.

By January 11, 2024, the relationship between the two had soured to the point the relative told him to leave the property and “to not come back unless you have the police with you”.

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Tony James Northover leaves the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

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Advised by police to move on from the property, Northover chose to ignore them and returned to the property twice.

The court was told police eventually tracked him down to the Grand Hotel where he had booked a room.

They found him in possession of marijuana and a bong.

He was charged with trespassing, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing utensils charges.

Magistrate Trinity McGarvie said “usually for offences such as carrying a weapon in public I would consider a term of imprisonment” but elected not to due to Northover’s mental health disclosed by duty lawyer Ria Ku.

Ms Ku said her client was a trained chef before his mental health issues caused him to have to give up the trade.

She said he was currently receiving a disability pension.

Mrs McGarvie sentenced Northover to nine months probation but elected not to record convictions due to Northover’s prior clean criminal record.

During his sentencing, Northover interrupted Mrs McGarvie.

“He (the victim) assaulted me before the incident,” Northover said.

The magistrate responded that it was not an excuse for the former chef’s actions.

The marijuana, samurai sword, bong and dagger were all forfeited and destroyed.