Sheldon Ashley Welsby charged with knife possession, causing fear
A retired, well-known Redland builder has been sentenced after pulling a knife at a venue infamous for a knifing incident in which a young man died.
Redlands Coast
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A retired Capalaba tradesman has pleaded guilty to threatening a man with a knife and causing fear at a venue infamous for a knifing in 2009.
Sheldon Ashley Welsby, 51, was charged with one charge of common assault in public place, one charge of going armed so as to cause fear and one charge of possession of a knife in a public place on July 29 last year.
The police prosecutor said Welsby had an “extremely limited history” but it was a serious incident which would have alarmed the victims.
“At 2am at the Alex Hills Hotel the victim was drinking and entered the smoking area and commenced a conversation with two males sitting at a table,” he said.
“While the victim was talking he felt a force to the underside of his groin (from an object) that the man (Welsby) was pushing into him.
“When the male moved his hand away from the victim’s groin he was holding a 10cm black knife.’’
The court heard Welsby did the same thing to another man sitting at the table.
“The victim sought a security guard at the venue who called the police,” the sergeant said.
Police arrived and saw Welsby with a knife, in a state of intoxication, the court heard.
“He was slurring his words,” the prosecutor said.
“This is the same venue where a young DJ was killed with a knife.
“At the nightclub patrons are scanned for knives so it is still concerning people can enter the bar with knives.
“This is a serious incident which would have caused the victim significant fear.
“His feet lifted from the ground to alleviate the discomfort.’’
Welsby’s lawyer said his client had been a builder before retiring in 2013.
“He has been married for 30 years and suffers major depression,” the lawyer said.
“He is on significant medication which affects his memory, especially when under the influence of alcohol.
“He has no memory or explanation, he does not remember anything.
“He is well regarded in the community.’’
Magistrate Deborah Vasta said she took Welsby’s guilty plea into consideration.
“This was very out of character for you but it took a couple of seconds to be dragged before the court,” Ms Vasta said.
Welsby was ordered to pay $300 compensation to the victim and was sentenced to nine months’ probation.
No convictions were recorded.