Russell Island gun hoarder avoids jail after stashing pump-action gun in canoe
A South East Queensland man who hid illegal weapons in a canoe and his couch has been spared jail, despite pleading guilty to five serious weapons charges.
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A young Russell Island man, who hid a pump action shotgun in a canoe and a foldable homemade handgun in his couch, was shown compassion by a Queensland magistrate, who urged him to carry a photo of his late mother to remind him to stay on track and make her proud.
Brandon Currie, 25, avoided prison in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday, despite pleading guilty to five serious weapons charges including unlawful possession of Category D weapons, possessing explosives, and carrying restricted items.
Police executed a search warrant at Currie’s home about 11am on March 25 detaining four people during the raid.
Officers found a small square black object under Currie’s living room couch that unfolded into a handgun.
The weapon included a hidden ammunition compartment in the handle and had one spent cartridge already in the chamber.
Currie admitted the weapon was his and explained to police how to operate it.
However, police said he offered no lawful excuse for possessing the item and was unable to tell police where he got it.
A further search under the house uncovered a large box inside a canoe, which contained a pump-action shotgun with the serial number filed off, a set of knuckle dusters, and a box of 12-gauge shotgun shells.
Currie again claimed ownership and was able to describe the items in detail before they were formally presented to him.
The court heard Currie had a three-page criminal history dating back to 2017, including previous convictions for unlawful possession of weapons and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
He had twice been breached on probation, most recently in 2024.
A probation report revealed he had struggled to stay engaged with support services, initially showing willingness but later disengaging for months at a time.
It described his history of substance abuse and “self-sabotaging” tendencies.
Currie’s lawyer said her client had turned to drugs after the death of his mother when he was 10, describing it as a lifelong trauma.
Currie admitted the weapons were in his possession but said he was protecting someone else, refusing to name them.
Magistrate Deborah Vasta delivered a stern but empathetic warning and urged him to carry a photo of his mother to help guide better decisions.
“Your fascination with guns and it being tough and cool … your mum would be so disappointed that this is your attitude,” she said.
“If you loved her and wanted to honour her memory, you would straighten yourself up … and try to do something that would make her proud.”
Currie was sentenced to a suspended term of imprisonment and a conviction recorded.
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Originally published as Russell Island gun hoarder avoids jail after stashing pump-action gun in canoe
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