Jarrod Cole Turner threatens children with knife, steals Bunnings chainsaw and smashes officer’s fingers in police car door

A 48-year-old Ipswich man slammed a police car door on an officer’s fingers when being arrested after threatening children with a knife and stealing a chainsaw.

An Ipswich man faced court for a series of ‘abhorrent’ offences committed last year.

Jarrod Cole Turner, 48, appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court via video link on June 10 2022.

He pleaded guilty to serious assault occasioning bodily harm, going armed so as to cause fear, and entering premises and committing an indictable offence.

Court heard that on October 23 2021, Turner stole a chainsaw worth $1429 from Bunnings.

He further threatened a number of children outside of Riverlink Shopping Center with a knife.

For this offence, Turner had a female accomplice.

Witnesses alerted the police about the disturbance, who examined the CCTV footage.

On October 29 2021 in Goodna, Senior Constable Bridger recognised Turner, as there was at this stage a warrant issued for his arrest.

He handcuffed Turner, who yelled at the other officer on the scene in protest.

When being ushered into the police car, Turner intentionally slammed the door shut on Senior Constable Bridger’s fingers.

Two of Senior Constable Bridger’s fingers were crushed, and one required six stitches.

He was treated at St Andrew’s Hospital and required a period of time off work.

Turner was taken into custody, where he remained until he faced court on June 10.

Magistrate Kathleen Payne reprimanded him for his assault on Senior Constable Bridger, saying “your conduct is abhorrent.”

“They did not deserve in any way to be treated in that manner.”

The court heard that Turner has a history of intermittent drug use, and a relevant criminal history including property offences and burglary.

His time in custody could not be declared time served because he had been on parole when he committed these most recent offences.

Turner’s lawyer Matthew Fairclough said he had worked in the past as a concreter and was going through a difficult time when these offences were committed.

Magistrate Payne sentenced Turner to seven months imprisonment for the serious assault, six months for the enter premises, and six months for the causing fear offences.

The sentences are to be served concurrently and suspended for 18 months.

Turner was also ordered to forfeit the knife and the chainsaw, and pay restitution of $1439 to Bunnings.