Steve James Hamlyn sentenced for video threat to his dad

A Queensland man sent a video to his father saying “see how you feel when I jam a double-barrel in your mouth”. Here’s why he did it.

Steve James Hamlyn was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court. Generic image.

Steve James Hamlyn asked his father for money but when the latter declined due to his poor financial situation, things took a turn for the worst.

Hamlyn reacted by calling the 63-year-old “a poor father” and then sending him a threatening video via Facebook Messenger.

In the video, Hamlyn said: “See how you feel when I jam a double-barrel in your mouth.”

That incident happened at Tamaree in the Gympie region and Hamlyn, 27, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court this month where he accepted that version of events.

Hamlyn pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend, possessing a restricted item, and three counts of unlawful possession of weapons.

The court heard the restricted item charge related to Hamlyn being found in possession of a telescopic baton at Calico Creek, also in the Gympie region.

It was told Hamlyn was also found with knuckle dusters on three separate occasions - at Calico Creek, Tamaree and Rockhampton.

Gladstone Courthouse.

Hamlyn had a one-entry criminal history and had spent 180 days in pre-sentence custody when he appeared in the Gladstone court.

Solicitor Rio Ramos said Hamlyn was born in Moura and he grew up in Gympie.

Ms Ramos said Hamlyn had worked as a leading hand driller but he lost his employment about a year ago in Toowoomba.

The solicitor said after a relationship breakdown, Hamlyn had struggled with drug use, “smoking it and injecting it.”

Ms Ramos said Hamlyn possessed the weapons for his protection after being subjected to a vicious attack.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan took into account Hamlyn had spent 180 days in pre-sentence custody.

She fined him $900 and also placed him on a two-year good behaviour order with a $1000 recognisance.

Convictions were recorded.