Cranky bow owner shoots arrow into car instead of target

Museum-goers near the man's house were shocked to find their car ended up in the crosshairs.

MISFIRE: Rhyss Bryant faced court on a charge that an arrow he fired struck a parked car. Picture: Ross Irby

CRANKY at congestion caused by a swell of visitors to The Workshops Rail Museum, a North Ipswich resident took extreme measures to vent his frustration.

During a fit of temper, Rhyss Bryant took his bow and arrow and aimed at a target he had set up in his front yard.

When one arrow missed the target it struck the door of a car owned by a woman visiting the museum.

Alarmed by his apparent reckless behaviour, witnesses attending a museum event called police to the North Ipswich street.

Bryant, 29, a father of two, was interviewed by police and charged with three offences.

Appearing before Ipswich Magistrates Court, Rhyss Luke Bryant pleaded guilty to discharging a weapon in a public place at North Ipswich on November 14 last year; threatening to shoot cars with bow and arrow likely to cause fear; and causing unlawful damage to a car door.

After reading the police facts, Magistrate Andy Cridland labelled Bryant's behaviour "an act of gross stupidity" in that he set up a target near cars being driven by people visiting the rail museum.

Police prosecutor Ricky Tsoi said the arrow caused scratches to the car door.

Bryant later telling police he was upset by the many people parking on the street in front of his house, or across his driveway.

Defence lawyer Richard Zande argued for leniency, saying Bryant was the primary care-giver to his children.

"What he did that day is very foolish. There was personal stress upon him that had been building for some time," Mr Zande said.

"He tells me he is extremely remorseful for what he did. Extremely out of character for him."

Mr Zande said Bryant had completed two court-ordered probation orders for prior offences but was otherwise a very good person, a decent person.  

Mr Cridland said the incident can only be seen as likely intended to cause somebody fear that day.

He said the matter was serious with Bryant previously appearing in court on offences involving causing fear or potentially violence including a charge of going armed to cause fear.

"Certainly if someone was in the wrong place at the wrong time it may be different when an arrow struck a vehicle," he said.

He sentenced Bryant to 12 months jail but gave him the benefit of immediate parole, but issued a strong warning saying - "Mr Bryant this really is your last chance."

Mr Cridland ordered that his bow and arrows be forfeited.