Roma Magistrates Court: Man found with loaded guns in home charged with six offences including assaulting three children

A Roma man has faced court for six offences including not storing firearms properly and assaulting three children on his farm. Here’s what happened in court.

A man who was “embarrassed” by his behaviour while operating his Maranoa region farm earlier this year has been sentenced in Roma Magistrates Court.

The man pleaded guilty to three counts of not correctly storing his firearms and three counts of assault.

Police prosecutions said the defendant had a bolt action firearm not secured in a storage facility, four firearms in a toolbox container only secured with a padlock which was not bolted to the ground and two weapons with loaded magazines in them.

Further, a witness reported to police instances of the defendant’s abuse towards his three children.

Prosecutions said the first of the assault charges involved a child being pushed by the defendant up against a dog cage, the second involved another child who was pushed off a buggy to the ground while doing cattle work with the third offence on a different child being yelled at and pulled out of the passenger side of the car by his neck after urinating on himself.

One of the children provided a written statement and the other two agreed to police interviews.

However, the mother of the children declined to comment as she wanted to continue a relationship with the defendant.

Defence lawyer Trevor May said his client suffered from anger issues and had been taking antidepressants for many years due to the pressures of owning a farm.

Mr May said his client was midway through completing the Triple P parenting course and had many reference letters testifying his good character.

He said the defendant is “embarrassed” and “remorseful” of his behaviour.

“He said there were some dingoes in sight and that’s why the guns were loaded,” Mr May said.

“He’s seeing a psychologist… and transferring guns to a neighbour who has a (gun) licence.”

Magistrate Shane Elliott said the three assault charges involved “really despicable behaviour”.

He said it was concerning that the defendant has a relevant entry on his criminal history dating back to 2014 where he failed to properly handle weapons.

“One would think a person who has previously been before the court, who has a weapons licence and owns a farm, needs a licence to run the farm - you would have ensured you abided by the legislative requirements more closely,” the magistrate said.

“It’s sloppy conduct on your behalf.”

The defendant was handed a $1000 fine for all offences and 18 months probation for the three assault charges. Convictions were recorded.