Popular picnic spot site of axe-wielding suicide-by-cop attempt

A man’s axe-wielding threats to his ex-partner and her boyfriend near a popular picnic spot nearly ended in suicide by cop.

A man attempted a terrifying ‘suicide by cop’ attempt near a popular Gympie tourist attraction after a rare cancer diagnosis saw his life “fall apart”.

Jonathon Hughes, 37, of Ilkley in the Sunshine Coast, was arrested after the horror situation played out near the Mothar Creek Rock Pools in February while he was armed with an axe.

It started with a disturbing phone call on February 22 about 4.20pm when Mr Hughes rang police and said he was en route to harm the new boyfriend of his former partner.

Magistrate Bevon Hughes told Gympie Court Mr Hughes approached the pair near Mothar Creek Rock Pools while armed with an axe.

Mr Hughes was “sweaty and scary”, and threatened to kill the boyfriend. His former partner later told police she was worried he would kill her too.

Mothar Mountain Rock Pools is a popular family destination for picnics and swims.

Magistrate Hughes told the court Mr Hughes returned to the nearby carpark and reportedly started rolling a cigarette while repeating the partner’s name.

The magistrate told the court when police later arrived, Mr Hughes was still holding the axe and calling out.

“You said you wanted the police to shoot you,” the Magistrate told Mr Hughes.

After a brief verbal confrontation, Mr Hughes reportedly sat on a bench and was arrested by two officers.

Hughes’ solicitor told the Magistrate his client, a father of three, received a “two in a million” cancer diagnosis two years ago and developed a tumour, which led to his relationship breaking down.

Hughes has a diagnosis of depression and adjustment disorder.

The sentencing for Mr Hughes’ “frightening episode” took place at the Gympie Magistrates Courthouse on May 20.

The Magistrate told Hughes his hardships would be “a lot for anyone to have to shoulder.”

“I do sympathise, but it cannot be the answer for you to spread that suffering to others,” he said.

“You’ve held an axe, you’ve driven past shouting, you’ve made threats, you’ve chased the new partner with an axe.”

Magistrate Hughes called the episode “frightening”, and said his behaviour was “out of character” and “disparaging, distressing and disturbing”.

However, the magistrate accepted Hughes was less morally culpable as a result of his diagnoses.

Hughes was sentenced to 12 months probation and 150 hours of community service.

Magistrate Hughes said this sentence also took into account the fact that Hughes had shown remorse, entered an early plea, and had only one previous conviction for drug possession on his criminal record.

Originally published as Popular picnic spot site of axe-wielding suicide-by-cop attempt