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Mark Condon in Byron court pleading guilty to destroying property, common assault, possessing unregistered firearm

A Byron Shire man was caught with an unregistered air rifle used to shoot ducks after he abused his wife and “put his hand over her mouth to muffle her screams”.

Mark Condon outside the court.
Mark Condon outside the court.

A Mullumbimby man was caught with an unregistered air rifle used to shoot ducks after he abused his wife and “put his hand over her mouth to muffle her screams”.

Mark Condon faced Byron Bay Local Court pleading guilty to destroying property, common assault and possessing an unregistered firearm.

The court was told the 64-year-old man was living in a caravan with his wife of four decades after the floods when she questioned his alcohol consumption about 7pm on May 17.

“Have you been drinking? You promised you wouldn’t drink on a school night,” Condon’s wife said, according to court documents.

Picture: Mark Condon
Picture: Mark Condon

Condon grabbed a plate and threw it on the ground before jumping on it, declaring “f--k off and never come back”.

Police facts state the victim began typing Condon’s tirade into her phone so she could tell him what he said the next day when he sobered up.

Condon tried to snatch the phone away and his wife screamed, so he put a hand over her mouth and made it difficult for her to breathe.

Condon tried to take the phone away and the woman screamed.
Condon tried to take the phone away and the woman screamed.

“You’re going to kill me”, the victim said, telling Condon to think of family members.

When the woman walked out of the caravan, Condon kicked her in the back and told her to f--k off, the documents state.

The victim drove to Mullumbimby Police Station and reported the attack.

Police arrived and entered the pair’s unlocked van.

“They sighted a rusty firearm located next to the toilet and confiscated it,” the documents state.

The couple were living in a caravan after the 2022 floods.
The couple were living in a caravan after the 2022 floods.

Condon was arrested nearby and taken to Byron Bay Police Station, where he admitted to possessing the gun without a licence.

The court heard Condon appeared with no previous criminal history and was medicated for mental health issues.

Defence Lawyer Tom Ivey told the court on July 3 that Condon was traumatised by the 2022 floods, which contributed to his offending.

“It had been raining over the last 24 hours and he was frightened by that, he was drinking wine while he was cooking,” he said.

“He put his hand over her mouth to muffle her screams.”

Mr Ivey said being in the cells “was a big shock to him and something he doesn’t want to experience again”.

“He (Condon) says he’s much more sensitive about his wife’s anxiety with him drinking and has been attending a men’s group in Tweed,” he said.

Byron Bay Court House
Byron Bay Court House

Mr Ivey said Condon only used the rifle to shoot at ducks.

Magistrate Karen Stafford said: “The air rifle could have easily been taken by people without a licence, including yourself, to endanger the community.”

“It’s utmost important for firearm regulations to be up to date,” she said.

She criticised Condon for his behaviour while drinking.

Ms Stafford sentenced Condon to a 12-month community corrections order.

He was also fined $500.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/byron-shire/police-courts/mark-condon-in-byron-court-pleading-guilty-to-destroying-property-common-assault-possessing-unregistered-firearm/news-story/8068b0e6fe32bb04101a2af48c1b87c3