William Parker, 57, sentenced in Nanango court for threatening to stab brother

A man who armed himself with a knife and wrestled with his brother has walked from court with an unusual sentence, following concerns over he was “overcharged” after a previously law-abiding life.

A man who threatened to stab his brother with a knife during a vicious argument has been handed an unusual punishment, following concerns he spent an excessive amount of time behind bars before even facing court.

William Roy Parker, 57, and his brother began “butting heads” while living together at a South Nanango property.

Things took a turn for the worst on the night of November 2, 2021, when Parker grabbed a knife during an argument and followed his brother into the lounge room.

Parker pushed his brother onto a mattress on the floor, climbed on top of him, and began making “stabbing motions” toward his chest.

Crown prosecutor Hamish McIntyre told Kingaroy District Court that there was a “bit of a wrestle” with the knife, however the weapon never pierced the victim’s skin.

Parker had lived a “blameless life” up until that night and had no criminal record.

Mr McIntyre said Parker was originally “overcharged” and had been locked up since before Christmas.

“The charges come before the court on circumstances where Parker was originally committed on a charge of a malicious act with intent,” Mr McIntyre said.

“That’s the only explanation for the completely excessive period of presentence custody.”

Parker pleaded guilty to one count each of unlawful assault and threatening violence.

He was convicted and not further punished.

Despite Parker spending 203 days in pre-sentence custody, Judge Nicole Kefford said she wouldn’t typically impose a jail sentence for this type of offense.

Parker was convicted and not further punished, and no conviction was recorded.