Richard Babos pleads guilty to threatening to stab police at Maroochydore service station

A man who once stabbed a policeman in the neck sparked a frantic response on the Sunshine Coast after pushing over an old man and threatening to attack officers with a screwdriver.

Richard Zoltan Babos became enraged about what the service station operator said to him, prompting a tense stand off between the 34-year-old and officers who arrived on scene.

A man who previously stabbed a policeman in the neck in Brisbane has received more jail time for threatening to attack officers before saying “jihad” at a Sunshine Coast service station.

A police officer was forced to draw his gun when intervening against Richard Zoltan Babos at a Maroochydore fuel stop on May 10 this year.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard how the Buderim man became enraged about what the service station operator said to him, prompting a tense stand off between the 34-year-old and officers who arrived on scene.

Police prosecutor Tara Miles said the shop attendant thought Babos was armed with a knife, however it turned out to be a screwdriver.

Senior Constable Miles said this was still an implement, and when police arrived he threatened to stab them.

Babos pleaded guilty to all charges. Picture: Facebook

The court heard during the fevered incident, the Buderim man also pushed an elderly man over who was at the service station getting his morning paper. He then told everyone to “shut the f--- up”.

Magistrate Rod Madsen said it was “extremely concerning”, especially when the 34-year-old called out “jihad” when in police custody, an Islamic term for terrorist violence against non believers.

“That’s concerning enough in the current environment,” Mr Madsen said.

The court heard a Taser needed to be deployed, with one of the officers having to draw their firearm.

Mr Madsen said police it was rare for officers to do this unless there was a risk of grievous bodily harm or death.

Babos was arrested and spent 132 days in custody up until court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to going armed to cause fear, obstructing police and public nuisance.

Babos arrested by police after stabbing an officer in the neck at Inala in 2019.

Senior Constable Miles said Babos was no stranger to a custodial environment, having spent time behind bars for stabbing a cop in the neck with scissors at the southwestern Brisbane suburb of Inala back in 2019.

Brisbane District Court heard in 2021 how Babos was approached by officers at a shopping centre when he stabbed an officer during his arrest, causing a 2.5cm laceration to the policeman’s jugular vein.

The court was told at the time Babos believed the officer was a “vampire or a demon” and he acted out of fear for his life.

He pleaded guilty to charges including grievous bodily harm, stealing, trespass and obstruct police and was sentenced to five and a half years’ jail, which was due to expire on January 10, 2025.

Defence lawyer Marielle D’Souza said in court this week the Sydney raised warehouse worker had been grappling with the death of his grandmother at the time of the incident, and had started drinking following her funeral.

Babos was jailed for 10 months but was given immediate parole eligibility.

Mr Madsen however said the Buderim man would naturally have to wait a few months before he was granted parole.