Townsville man slashed with sword in 4.30am home invasion

A Hyde Park man found himself in a terrifying situation when he confronted a sword-carrying thief in the early hours of the morning, leaving him with a forearm injury. Read the full court case.

A 43-year-old man has been sentenced for armed robbery after swinging a sword at a Hyde Park man during a home invasion.

A Hyde Park man aged in his 60s who was alerted to an intruder in his home by his security system, blocked the path of the thief in an effort to get his sword and a wallet back.

Details of the unusual crime were read out in Townsville District Court on Monday, August 19.

The court heard the altercation occurred around 4.30am on February 3, 2023, and began when Nicholas William Ryan, 43, entered a Hyde Park house via the back door and took a wallet and sword.

Crown prosecutor Shannon Sutherland said Ryan then exited the house and was leaving down the rear stairs when the homeowner found him.

“(The homeowner) was downstairs in his bedroom and was notified someone was there due to a camera being activated. He walked up the rear stairs and was confronted by Ryan,” Ms Sutherland said.

“On the back patio, Ryan repeatedly swung the sword towards the complainant.”

The homeowner was struck in the forearm, resulting in an 8.5cm “abrasion”, as well as a “smaller abrasion” to his left hand.

“He moved out of the way and Ryan ran down the stairs, he threw the sword into the backyard and ran into the street.”

Ryan then entered the AMPOL Pimlico service station and used the stolen wallet to purchase $18 worth of goods, the court heard.

Ms Sutherland said the altercation had an impact on the homeowner.

“He is less trusting of others, is stressed by visitors at his home, has trouble sleeping and is reluctant to leave his home,” she said.

“The potential for harm was very significant, and it’s fortunate more serious injuries weren’t sustained.”

Ms Sutherland described Ryan as a “recidivist offender” – a repeat offender – and said he’d been released from prison only 24 days before the home invasion took place.

The court heard Ryan’s criminal history included robbery in 1998, eight convictions for assaults occasioning bodily harm, seven burglaries and over 100 charges of entering premises, among others.

Police recognised Ryan on the home’s CCTV footage and an arrest warrant was put out for him.

Ryan pleaded guilty to armed robbery with personal violence and fraud.

Defence barrister Ross Malcomson said Ryan has a “tragic life story” which involved picking up a drinking habit at age ten and using drugs at twelve.

Judge Paul Smith sentenced Ryan to five and a half years in prison.

Taking into account the 479 days he’s already served, this means Ryan will be eligible for parole on August 16, 2025.

Originally published as Townsville man slashed with sword in 4.30am home invasion