Former army sniper Robert Marchment pleads guilty to unlawfully possessing weapons

A magistrate has said a highly decorated former Army sniper made a ‘dreadful mistake’ after he pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing weapons found in a raid on his Paradise Point home.

Former army sniper Robert Marchment Picture: Adam Head

A HIGHLY decorated former Army sniper had a number of weapon silencers and pepper spray in his Paradise Point home to help shoot pigeons, a court was told.

Robert Marchment, 37, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court this morning to two charges of unlawfully possessing weapons.

The magistrate described his crimes as a “dreadful mistake” in a “climate of anxiety”.

Marchment came to prominence when the Australian Federal Police raided his Paradise Point home on July 5 this year, shutting down the quiet street.

Robert Marchment.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Reece Foort told the court a number of explosives, including fireworks, were found at the scene.

He said the army was called in to help deal with the explosives.

Sgt Foort said during the search the Queensland police found “metal tubular suppressors” as well as selector switches used to convert a toy BB gun with plastic bullets from semiautomatic to automatic.

A ballistic vest and pepper spray was also found, Sgt Foort said.

The court was told the AFP raided the home after Marchment allegedly ordered the switches online.

He has not been charged with the importation.

Former army sniper Robert Marchment (right) outside court. Picture: Adam Head

Magistrate Pamela Dowse fined Marchment $1000.

“I am very impressed by all your credentials and service to country,” she said.

“It’s a shame you made such a dreadful mistake especially in this climate of anxiety you are all suffering.”

Marchment’s lawyer Francis Martin said Marchment had spent 13 years in the army where he worked in explosives reconnaissance.

He said during that time Marchment had done tours of East Timor and Afghanistan.

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Robert Marchment.

Marchment became a marksman and earned a number of gold medals for shooting in defence force games.

Mr Martin said Marchment now worked in pest control, including for Gympie Shire Council.

“A lot of firing at pigeons and that is why he had the suppressors, for suppressing noise,” he said.

The court was told Marchment made the suppressors.

Mr Martin said the pepper spray was also used for chasing off wild dogs.

The court was told Marchment had the ballistic vest “left over from his army days.”

“He had put that into storage,” Mr Martin said.

“He didn’t hand it back.”

Mr Martin said Marchment also did work as an armed security guard filling ATMs.

No conviction was recorded.