Thomas James Carlin pointed a gel blaster pistol at three terrified women in Warwick

The 31-year-old had only just been released from prison and thought he was being followed when he pointed the gel blaster pistol at the women.

Thomas James Carlin had an extra two months added to his jail term after he appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court 4/2/22

A paranoid parolee who pointed a gel blaster handgun at three women and made threats has had months added to his current jail term.

Thomas James Carlin, 31, was out of jail just weeks when he was driving through Warwick on October 28 and thought the car behind was following him, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

After passing each other a few times, Carlin stopped his car, got out and walked back to the other vehicle where he pointed a gel blaster pistol at the three women sitting in that car and made threats.

Police prosecutor Bettina Trenear told the court the women thought the gun was real and were in fear of being shot.

The women drove straight to the police station with Carlin following them for a time until he realised where they were going, the court was told.

Police went to Carlin’s home the next day where they found the gel blaster as well as a telescopic baton and a set of knuckle dusters, both Category M weapons.

Carlin told police he believed people were following him since his release from jail and he was “very remorseful” for what he had done on this occasion, the court heard.

Thomas James Carlin

Carlin appeared by video link from Woodford Correctional Centre to plead guilty to three counts of threatening violence, and one each of possessing a restricted item (baton) and a category M weapon (knuckledusters).

His solicitor Jag MacDonald, of MacDonald Law, said his client at the time had been in fear of his life but was sorry for his actions.

“He has asked me to express to the court his embarrassment and remorse,” he said.

Mr MacDonald said due to Covid-19 restrictions, prisoners had been subjected to constant lockdowns.

“He (Carlin) tells me it’s the hardest time he’s done in prison,” he said.

Carling planned on opening a tattoo shop upon his release from jail, he said.

Mr MacDonald said Carlin’s full-time release date on his current sentence was May 8, 2024, and asked that he be fined so as not to disturb that sentence.

Image of a gel blaster pistol.

However, Magistrate Damien Carroll said the offending was “very serious”.

“This sort of behaviour, frightening people with guns, requires the strongest deterrence,” he said.

Mr Carroll said he took into account Carlin believed he was being pursued.

“Unfortunately, you’re a victim of the jail culture, as I see it,” he told Carlin.

Taking into account Carlin had already spent 98 days in custody since the incident, Mr Carroll sentenced him to two months in jail to be served on top of his current sentence pushing his full-time release date out to July 8, 2024.

Mr Carroll ordered Carlin be eligible to apply for parole forthwith.

Originally published as Thomas James Carlin pointed a gel blaster pistol at three terrified women in Warwick