Kariong: Leslie Cook, 72, guilty of firing shotgun at ducks in his pool

A paddling of ducks in a Central Coast man’s backyard pool has pushed him over the edge, with the 72-year-old firing a shotgun at them only to take out his neighbour’s bathroom window.

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A Central Coast retiree’s ongoing war to stop ducks invading his pool finally sent him quackers after he pulled out a single barrelled shotgun and fired it in his suburban backyard, hitting his neighbour’s bathroom window.

Leslie William Cook later admitted it was a “silly thing to do” but the brazen attempt to disperse a paddling of ducks in his pool earned the 72-year-old a night in the slammer.

The man had an old single barrelled shotgun and six cartridges. Picture: Stock.

Cook, of Kariong, faced Gosford Local Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to firing a shotgun in a way likely to injure a person or damage property, possessing an unregistered firearm, not keeping it safely and possessing ammunition without holding a licence.

An agreed set of police facts tendered to court found Cook, who lived alone in a property on Jarrah Drive, had purchased an unregistered 12/70 shotgun and six cartridges about 24 years ago.

But it was those pesky ducks that sent him over the edge about 2.30pm on Monday.

Ducks can split pool owners between those who like them and those, like Cook, who despise them. Picture: Stock.

“The accused has an ongoing issue with ducks in his pool,” the facts read.

“The accused retrieved the shotgun and loaded a cartridge. The accused went to his rear door where he could see the ducks on the water and discharged one round towards the ducks.

“The pellets from the shotgun went into his neighbour’s side fence and some of the pellets penetrated the bathroom window.”

The facts did not state whether any ducks were injured but when the neighbours got home about 8pm they rang police.

Cook faced Gosford Local Court today. Picture: Peter Clark

“The accused was spoken to initially refusing to tell police what had occurred,” the facts read.

However when he was cautioned he revealed what really had ruffled his feathers.

“The accused admitted to the offence and consented for police to search his premises for the shotgun and ammunition,” the facts read.

“The accused stated he was aware of the offences he was charged with and that `it was a silly thing to do’.

“He stated he has a history with ducks being in his pool.”

Cook also told police he knew his neighbours weren’t home at the time and he was “very remorseful”.

Cook was refused bail yesterday to face court today where Magistrate Peter Barnett put him on a conditional release order for two years without conviction.