Russell Kenieth Thompson pleads guilty to going armed so as to cause fear

A 62-year-old man who threatened South Burnett high school students with a block splitter says he was ‘triggered’ by driving behaviour and being sworn at.

Russell Kenieth Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of going armed as to cause fear.

A man armed with a block splitter threatened high school students after one called the old man a “c--t” because the man had commented on a student’s driving ability.

Nanango man Russell Kenieth Thompson, 62, pleaded guilty in the Nanango Magistrates Court on Monday to one count of going armed so as to cause fear after he threatened high school students with a block splitter.

Police prosecutor Lisa Manns said on April 26 about 8.50am a high school student was parking his car on Cairns St.

Sergeant Manns said the victim and another student got out of the car when Thompson parked his car on the opposite side of the road before exiting his car.

“The defendant has picked up a block splitter from the utility tray and walked towards the victim in a threatening manner saying things like ‘you wanna go’,” Sgt Manns said.

Sgt Manns said the victim “felt scared” and took steps back along with other students.

“The defendant has then lifted the block splitter in a threatening manner as if to hit the victim’s vehicle and a witness has stepped forward and told the defendant to leave,” Sgt Manns said.

The court was told Thompson left in his car before the students went and told the school’s vice principal who then contacted police.

Sgt Manns said the student was “scared” to drive his own vehicle in the following days.

When police interviewed Thompson he said earlier that morning he was sitting at the corner of Elk and Fitzroy streets.

“He’s seen the victim’s utility enter the pedestrian crossing when a pedestrian was walking across the road,” Sgt Manns said.

“The defendant then yelled out to the victim to take better care and watch out for pedestrians and the witness in the passenger seat has called the defendant a c--t.”

Russell Kenieth Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of going armed as to cause fear.

Sgt Manns said Thompson told police the language “triggered” him before he got into his car and drove to where the students were as he “wanted the witness to apologise”.

“The defendant stated he picked up his block splitter to scare the victim and the witnesses, he never intended to hurt anyone or damage any of the vehicles,” Sgt Manns said.

The court heard when Thompson was younger his uncle was run over on a pedestrian crossing and in the fortnight before the incident with the students his mother had passed away.

“He stated there’s a lot of stresses built up that affected his mental health and it all came to a head at that point in time,” Sgt Manns said.

Thompson's lawyer Mark Werner said Thompson suffers from depression and was recently diagnosed with early onset dementia which “affects his capacity”.

Mr Werner said when the student yelled at Thompson he “felt threatened” but was “very regretful” for what had occurred.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said the incident appeared “out of character” based on Thompson’s lack of criminal history.

“I accept that this has got out of hand because of the incident that has happened to you recently,” Mr Sinclair said.

Thompson was fined $350 and no conviction was recorded.