Ross John Goodall sentenced after terrorising police at Roma holiday park

A man terrorised police over the Christmas period in a caravan park in Roma, threatening to shoot police, causing particular stress to an officer who had responded to the horrific murder of police officers at Wieambilla.

Ross John Goodall was sentenced in the Roma Magistrates Court after terrorised police officers over Christmas.

A man who spent the 2023 Christmas period terrorising Roma police and a local caravan park, which included an officer who responded to the Wieambilla shootings, has been sentenced in Roma Magistrates Court on April 3.

Before the court with no criminal history, Ross John Goodall appeared from Woodford Correctional Centre via videolink, facing four charges including threatening violence, obstructing police, public nuisance, and breaching bail conditions.

Police prosecutor Ellysha Geddes said police were called to the Big Rig Caravan Park on McDowall St in Roma, after reports an the now 49-year-old was threatening to harm himself with a gun.

Police arrived at the scene at 3.27pm, where Goodall told police he wanted to shoot himself with his gun, due to his PTSD.

Ms Geddes said police called paramedics to help with the incident, but Goodall repeatedly swore at the paramedics.

Ms Geddes said police told Goodall they would have to accompany him to Roma Hospital, after which Goodall began threatening violence towards the police officers.

Police then arrested Goodall for obstructing police, and he was transported to Roma Hospital by QAS on a stretcher.

While waiting in the emergency department with police, Goodall continued to swear at police and threaten violence.

Ms Geddes said Goodall repeatedly told police he had been in special forces and would not hesitate to use his abilities to harm the police officers.

Goodall also told one of the officers he would use his gun to kill the officer.

The threats to police continued for four hours while the officers waited with Goodall in hospital.

Ms Geddes told the court Goodall was assessed in hospital, and released on December 24, with doctors finding no concerns with his mental health.

On December 25, police were again called to the Big Rig Caravan Park, after Goodall had made threats to shoot police over the phone.

Ms Geddes said Goodall continued to threaten police, and made constant references to ‘special forces’ training, while they waited for paramedics to arrive.

Ms Geddes said Goodall refused to answer the paramedic’s questions, and was charged with public nuisance and taken to the watch-house.

On December 26, police once again attended the caravan park, after Goodall called triple-0 and told QAS he had a gun, and was going to use it.

Ms Geddes said Goodall continued to threaten to harm himself and others.

Police were aware that one of the conditions of Goodall’s bail was to have a reading of 0.05.

Ms Geddes said Goodall returned a reading of 0.327 at the scene, and later 0.362.

Police charged Goodall with breach of bail conditions.

Ms Geddes said despite his allegations, Defence Australia confirmed “the defendant does not have a service history with them”.

“The victim officer … took particular fear from the commentary made by Mr Goodall as a result of his involvement in the Wieambilla incident 12 months ago,” Ms Geddes said.

Goodall’s defence lawyer, Alysha Jacobsen of Bouchier Khan Lawyers, said Goodall was diagnosed with PTSD in 2014, and has been medicated for the condition ever since.

Ms Jacobsen said Goodall had switched medication a few months before the offending, but had stopped taking the medication due to serious side effects. Instead, Goodall had taken to self-medicating with alcohol.

Ms Jacobsen said Goodall’s first 100 days in prison had been very difficult, he regrets his actions.

Ms Jacobsen said Goodall neither has access to any firearms, or military background.

Goodall was sentenced to a period of six months, with 100 days of pre-sentence custody recognised as time served, and given an immediate parole release date.

Convictions were recorded for all the offences.

Magistrate Michael Wood said he was surprised this spate was Goodall’s first interaction with the justice system.

“I’m sure you realise police do not go to work to be treated and abused as they were,” Mr Wood said.