Elderly chef Michel Courgnaud in Brisbane court charged for knives after crash

A chef has told a court north of Brisbane the odd reasons why he was caught in possession of three knives, after a crash caught police attention.

Michel Courgnaud leaving the Caboolture Magistrates Court on February 2, 2024.

A man in his 70s told a magistrate he was unaware he wasn’t allowed to have knives in his car, despite his bizarre reasoning for having them.

Michel Courgnaud, 72, appeared in Caboolture Magistrates Court on February 2, 2024, charged with possess utensils or pipes etc for use and possession of a knife in a public place.

The court heard at 3.35pm on November 19, 2023, police were called to a single-vehicle crash at Burpengary East, where police identified Courgnaud as the driver and owner of the vehicle.

Police prosecutor Tia Herd told the court when police approached Courgnaud, he attempted to put a small plastic bag in his shorts pocket.

Michel Courgnaud leaving the Caboolture Magistrates Court on February 2, 2024.

“Police requested the defendant remove the bag from his pocket, which he refused,” Ms Herd said.

“The defendant was evasive with police.

“Police were suspicious the defendant had dangerous drugs and located a small glass pipe in his pocket, 10-15 centimetres long.

“The glass pipe smelt of cannabis.”

Three kitchen knives were found in the car, two in the driver’s door and one on the floor.

Self-representing, Courgnaud told the court he was a chef by trade and the knives were kitchen knives.

“I carry the knife in my car to use when I go to the beach or when I go to a picnic,” Courgnaud said.

“I was not aware that I should not carry knife.”

The court heard Courgnaud had no previous criminal history.

Magistrate James Blanch fined Courgnaud, who pleaded guilty, $500.

Convictions were not recorded.

Originally published as Elderly chef Michel Courgnaud in Brisbane court charged for knives after crash