Richard Jayde Cunningham, 38, Browns Plains in Beenleigh Court for shotgun threat

A Logan dad’s terrifying, abusive tirade with a shotgun towards a couple and their young child outside a hotel, has been revealed in court.

Richard Jayde Cunningham, 38, was sentenced in Beenleigh District Court for threatening a couple with a shotgun outside a Logan hotel.

A Logan man’s terrifying, abusive tirade with a shotgun towards a couple and their young child outside a hotel, has been revealed in court.

Richard Jayde Cunningham, 38, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh District Court on April 16 to going armed as to cause fear, authority needed to use explosives, possessing dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of a weapon and dangerous conduct with a weapon.

The court heard the Browns Plains father of two approached the EconoLodge Motel in Waterford West on the morning of March 16, 2023.

He was in a car and yelled out the window to a young couple, 17 and 18, calling her a “slut”.

Cunningham exited the car and pulled out a shotgun where he pointed it at the couple’s infant child and told them to run.

Cunningham was later arrested and found with a flick blade knife and one gram of methamphetamine.

The court heard the incident was an unprovoked brazen attack and he had an issue with violence.

Cunningham had relapsed on meth during this period and that was the main cause of his offending.

Judge Craig Chowdhury said these types of attacks needed to be met with punishment by the courts.

“I understand you were high on drugs at the time but that is not an excuse, barely an explanation,” he said.

“The community simply cannot tolerate this serious, violent, criminal behaviour.

“You’ve got to give up the gear and be a positive example to your two young daughters.”

Cunningham was sentenced to 18 months prison and given a parole release date of September 18, 2024.

He had already served 395 days of pre-sentence custody.

Originally published as Richard Jayde Cunningham, 38, Browns Plains in Beenleigh Court for shotgun threat