Adam Samuel Barton sentenced for dangerous conduct of a weapon and assault in Woombye

A man who aimed a shortened rifle and pulled the trigger at another man on the Sunshine Coast was going through a “chaotic” period in his life, a court has heard.

A father-of-two who aimed a shortened rifle at another man then pulled the trigger during a dispute over a toolbox has been jailed.

Adam Samuel Barton, 39, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore District Court on Monday, August 20, to two counts of dangerous conduct with a weapon and one count of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed in company.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said Barton and an unknown man had on November 11, 2017, visited a property in Woombye where they attempted to retrieve a toolbox for a friend.

The court heard the owner of the property told Barton he was not welcome and asked him to leave.

Barton returned to his car and pulled out a shortened .22 rifle which he waved at the man who had told him to leave.

Adam Samuel Barton, 39, was sentenced in the Maroochydore District Court.

When the man tried to call police on his mobile, Barton hit the phone out of his hand with the rifle before aiming the gun at the man’s chest.

Mr Stark said Barton had told the man “I’ll show you C — t, you’re dead” before cocking the gun at the man and engaging the trigger.

The man heard a “click” but no bullet was discharged from the rifle.

The court heard the man then tried to grab the rifle from Barton and while the two struggled, his co-accused, who was never identified by police, grabbed a chair and hit the complainant with it.

Mr Stark said the trio then struggled over the firearm.

Barton and his co-accused then went to leave the property but before driving away Barton fired the rifle again, and this time a bullet was discharged.

The court heard the bullet had been fired towards the shed, but nobody had been standing nearby.

Defence barrister Peter Feeney said Barton had been going through a “chaotic period in his life” in the lead up to the offence.

The court heard Barton, who works as a tattoo artist and importer of sunglasses and other goods, had been doing significant rehabilitation for chronic nerve pain he’d suffered after he was struck by a truck in Mackay.

Mr Feeney said Barton, who has been in custody for 69 days for these offences, had been getting his shoe laces tied by other prisoners, such was the severity of his medical condition.

Judge Gary Long said Barton could continue to receive appropriate medical attention in prison.

He said the complainant had been “significantly impacted psychologically” by what occurred that day.

“The complainant told you to leave, you then engaged the trigger and the firearm was heard to click but nothing was discharged,” Judge Long said.

Barton was sentenced to 18 months in jail and will be eligible for parole on December 13, 2021.