Mathew James Turnbull: Man uses homemade slingshot to damage council car

A father of seven used his homemade weapon in a heated argument, causing hundreds of dollars worth of damages to a council vehicle.

Mathew James Turnbull used his homemade slingshot in a heated argument causing hundreds of dollars worth of damages to a council vehicle.

After being told to leave a waste disposal site, an angry St George man pulled out his homemade slingshot and flung it towards a council vehicle, causing hundreds of dollars in damages.

Mathew James Turnbull attended the St George tip and was confronted by another man with whom he had past altercations.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins told St George Magistrates Court the other man advised Turnbull he wasn’t allowed to be there and directed him to leave.

“There was swearing from both parties, then the defendant walked to the office area and the man told him to leave again,” he said.

“The defendant then presented a homemade tree branch that had rubber sharps on it and pointed it at the other driver.”

The father of seven flung it toward the man’s vehicle, owned by the Balonne Shire Council, causing $800 worth of damage.

Sergeant Hutchins said there was a “novice dislike” between the pair and fortunately no one was injured.

“His actions were not appropriate, but they were not dangerous either,” he said.

“He didn’t intend to hurt the man.”

Solicitor Michael Corbin said his client merely wanted to attend the landfill and was told to “bugger off”.

He noted his client’s had no history of similar offending.

Turnbull pleaded guilty to dangerous conduct with a weapon, and was fined $250 and ordered to pay $800 restitution.