Jason Edwin Jeffery fined after throwing crab at fisheries officer in Cungulla

A crabby Qld fisherman hurled threats, crustaceans, and even a stop sign in a bizarre blow-up at fisheries officers.

Jason Edwin Jeffery pleaded guilty to the offences, copping a hefty fine.

A senior supervisor’s “disastrous” fishing day has landed him in court after he went wild during a crab inspection.

Bowen Magistrates Court heard Jason Edwin Jeffery was stopped on January 26 and searched by two fisheries inspectors in Cungulla near the Doughboy Creek boat ramp.

Police prosecutor Lynda Hughes said Jeffery admitted to having crabs in an esky and on the floor of his boat, telling officers he would be throwing the small crabs into a creek when he returned home.

When the inspectors found an undersized crab in the 52-year-old’s esky he and his wife told police she was Indigenous so she could take undersized crabs.

Ms Hughes said Jeffrey attempted to pick a crab up off the floor of the boat and officers told him to leave it.

The court heard Jeffery picked up the crab and threw it, hitting one of the officers in the face, grazing his nose.

Ms Hughes said he began threatening the officers saying things like “you’re not a f***ing copper” and “when I’m finished with you, you won't be f***ing all right”.

The court heard Jeffery raised his fists at the officers before throwing the undersized crab across the road.

He then opened the passenger door of the fisheries officer’s car saying “come on big fella you want to defend your vehicle”

before picking up a stop sign from the ground and throwing it across the road.

Jason Edwin Jeffery appeared in Bowen Magistrates Court on July 24 charged with obstructing a public officer and resisting a public officer.

The court heard he continued throwing crabs out of the boat and across the road.

Ms Hughes said the behaviour showed complete disregard to authority figures.

“It’s important that they are able to do their job safely without any threats of violence,” she said.

Cleo Rewald from Richards Rewald Lawyers told the court her client had no criminal history.

She said the incident occurred at the end of a long and disastrous fishing day where the pair traipsed through the mud for hours.

“He has been a fisherman his entire life, he loves it, he understands the role that the officers have, it was just a culmination of the entire day,” she said.

Magistrate Anna Smith said the behaviour was clearly out of character.

“All references indicate that you are ordinarily a person of good character, hardworking, contributing member of the community, you are a good role model,” she said.

“It must have been quite embarrassing to tell your adult children about the offending.”

Jeffery pleaded guilty to obstructing a public officer and resisting a public officer.

He was fined $800 and ordered to pay $250 compensation to each of the officers.

No convictions were recorded.