Michelle Anne Patterson in Gladstone court for gun offence

A Central Queensland woman bombarded her domestic violence victim with more than 120 text messages over just a few hours, but it was a photo of her posed with a rifle that proved most shocking.

Michelle Anne Patterson, 54, faced Gladstone Magistrates Court for a weapon possession offence. Generic image.

A single mum, busted with an illegal gun after sending a photo of herself holding it to her domestic violence victim, has been sentenced.

Michelle Anne Patterson, 54, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on July 3 to unlawful possession of a weapon (domestic violence offence).

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said officers were called to Patterson’s home in relation to an alleged domestic violence incident involving a firearm – a lever-action rifle.

Sgt Hoskins said police investigations revealed Patterson had sent her victim 123 text messages in the space of 12 hours.

The prosecutor said in one of the messages, Patterson sent a photo of a rifle over her shoulder with the words: “Sending this s**t to (woman’s name).”

Sgt Hoskins said police found the rifle in the shed at Patterson’s residence and she did not hold a licence for it.

The court heard Patterson had no prior similar offending on her criminal history and the prosecution sought a forfeiture order for the rifle.

Solicitor Rio Ramos said Patterson was a single mum and she never had any intention of using the rifle or hurting anyone.

Acting Magistrate Stephen Byrne fined Patterson $300 and ordered the weapon be forfeited.

No conviction was recorded.