Paul Michael Lamborne faces Mackay court for Cedar Creek fire, police shootout

When a 54-year-old man was asked to vacate a Queensland property, it triggered a chain of events months later that ended in multiple shots being fired during a showdown with police. Read how the events unfolded.

A squatter who refused to leave a Whitsundays property has triggered a dramatic series of events resulting in a police shootout.

The chaos began when Paul Michael Lamborne, who had been living on a Palm Grove property near Cedar Creek Falls, was asked to vacate in 2018.

Police prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke said the 54 year old then lit a fire at the property on September 18, 2019, which a passing helicopter pilot happened to spot.

Ms O’Rourke said the pilot quickly radioed police and multiple crews were dispatched to Lamborne’s known camping spot to search for him.

One of the police officers peeled away from the search group and began trekking up the mountain, during which time the pilot saw Lamborne holding what he thought was a firearm.

‘His car did not have functioning brakes’. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Ms O’Rourke said the pilot phoned police, triggering the officers to jump into their car and drive up the mountain in fear for their colleagues’ safety.

Meanwhile, Lamborne got into his car and began driving down the mountain’s one-lane track with one crucial hitch.

“His car did not have functioning brakes,” Ms O’Rourke said.

During his descent, the single officer on foot spotted Lamborne behind the wheel and called out to him.

The court heard Lamborne did not respond.

Ms O’Rourke said the police car and Lamborne then came into view of each other, with both drivers only having “six or seven seconds” to react.

While the police car stopped, Lamborne “ploughed into them, pushing [their car] back about seven and a half metres”.

Ms O’Rourke said the injured police officers climbed out of their car and fearful of Lamborne being armed, started firing shots at his car.

He was eventually arrested.

She said in an interview the next day, Lamborne admitted to lighting the fire despite knowing they were banned and admitted to knowing there was an issue with his car’s brakes.

Judge Tony Moynihan said he took into consideration Lamborne’s mental health conditions that had affected his behaviour — which included bipolar, ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder — stated in a psychiatric report. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Lamborne further admitted to police he drove into the police car because he was drunk and “wasn’t sure if it was real”.

“And he claimed his pretence of ‘waving a stick as a rifle’ was a practical joke,” Ms O’Rourke said.

Police also found marijuana in his car.

Lamborne pleaded guilty in Mackay District Court to setting fire to indigenous standing shrub, dangerously driving while intoxicated and possessing marijuana.

Judge Tony Moynihan said he took into consideration Lamborne’s mental health conditions that had affected his behaviour — which included bipolar, ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder — stated in a psychiatric report.

Lamborne was sentenced to three years’ jail, with a parole release date set at September 1, 2021, having already spent 399 days in pre-sentence custody.

He was also disqualified from obtaining a driver's licence for 12 months.