Andrew Heta James Whittall jailed over Kilkivan weapons arsenal

A Kilkivan man with a violent criminal past spanning two states, padlocked his home and hid inside when he learnt multiple police were on their way to arrest him.

New details have emerged, and a man has been sentenced following a police raid on a Kilkivan property.

The home of Andrew Heta James Whittall was raided on June 29, by Kilkivan and Gympie police, the Wide Bay Burnett Tactical Crime Squad, Maryborough Dog Squad, and the Public Response Safety Team.

During a search of the Blacksnake Road property, several shotguns were found, along with rifles, pistols, firearm parts, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, a homemade mace, drug utensils, chemicals associated with drug manufacturing, and a stolen Queensland firearms licence.

Whittall pleaded guilty to 10 charges when he appeared by videolink from jail in Gympie Magistrates Court on Tuesday, including the unlawful possession of 10 or more weapons, which included five firearms.

Andrew Heta James Whittall has an extensive criminal history spanning Queensland and New South Wales, the court heard.

Police prosecutor Higham said after Whittall had received a call informing him of his impending arrest, he padlocked his property and hid himself inside, posing a “significant” risk to the officers attending the arrest and raid.

The 45-year-old Kilkivan man’s extensive criminal history in Queensland and New South Wales was also revealed to the court, which included kidnapping, numerous robberies including armed and violent robberies, aggravation, and violence.

“The defendant has a significant history of disobedience to court orders since 2015” on at least seven prior occasions, Senior Constable Higham said.

Solicitor Andrew Bale said the weapons in Whittall’s possession were found in a pile of belongings in a shed on the property, and only two were operable.

The 45-year-old Kilkivan man’s property was raided by a joint police force on June 29, when they discovered more than 20 illegal weapons.

Mr Bale said Whittall was “immediately cooperative with police at the scene” once he had been arrested.

Magistrate Bevan Hughes sentenced Whittall to nine months total imprisonment for numerous weapon and drug charges, along with others, all served concurrently.

Whittall’s convictions were recorded, his unlawful property was forfeited to the crown, and his parole release date was set for September 29, 2025.