Matthew Hugh McKay ‘bizarrely’ tries to outrun mounted police in Gatton supermarket car park

Police and the man’s lawyer both described his carpark antics as bizarre, as a court hears how he peered out from behind concrete poles as mounted officers attempted to locate him.

Queensland Mounted Police in Gatton. PHOTO: ALI KUCHEL

Mounted police patrolling a Gatton supermarket car park have chased a man who behaved “bizarrely”, hiding behind concrete pillars and weaving between cars to avoid police.

Matthew Hugh McKay was spotted by officers as he hid behind posts near the Coles supermarket entrance on October 26.

The Gatton Magistrates Court heard McKay peered out and look at officers from time to time, before hiding his face again.

When officers spoke to him, McKay became “instantly aggressive” yelling “f**k off” before running away, weaving through parked vehicles in a bid to lose mounted officers.

Police prosecutor Narelle Lowe told the court McKay was told to stop numerous times as officers followed him through the car park.

McKay refused to give his name and became aggressive, prompting officers to dismount their horses and arrest him.

“The defendant was transitioned to the ground and continued to try and struggle, twisting his body to get up and free himself from the arrest, making it difficult for police to carry out their duties,” Sergeant Lowe said.

Lawyer Emily Fackender described the incident as “bizarre”.

“He got stressed and thought police were following him. He acted bizarrely,” she said.

The court heard McKay’s Laidley home was searched on October 28, where officers found bongs, bowls, containers and pipes, all containing marijuana.

Ms Fackender said her client had moved to Laidley from New South Wales a few months prior but had since moved again.

“He works full time as a removalist. He hasn’t been taking cannabis since the incident,” she said.

In the Gatton court on July 26, McKay pleaded guilty to one count each of public nuisance, obstructing a police officer, possessing utensils or pipes and possessing a dangerous drug.

He was fined $1000.