Mark Robert Lutgenau pleads guilty to 15 charges including threading violence, threats, assault

An ex-construction worker who sent his partner into hiding for two days, a school into lockdown and police stations across Queensland on high alert will walk from jail.

AN ex-construction worker who sent his partner into hiding for two days, a school into lockdown and police stations across Queensland on high alert will walk from jail on Tuesday.

Mark Robert Lutgenau threatened to kill his wife, doused her car in petrol and then fled carrying a replica firearm on March 15 this year.

The 38-year-old did so because she had broken up with him.

“I’m about to lose my life – you should lose yours too. That’s only fair,” he told her.

“I’ll burn the house down with you in it.”

Lutgenau then threatened to shoot her or have her assassinated.

Mark Lutgenau threatened to kill his wife, doused her car in petrol and then fled carrying a replica firearm on March 15 this year. Photo: Supplied QLD Police

Whilst on the run from police, Lutgenau threatened, via Facebook Messenger, with negotiators to shoot police officers and shoot up a police station if he did not get what he wanted.

The threats put every police station in Queensland on high alert with an officer stationed at the front desk.

He was found in Nerang on March 17 with a replica gun.

Lutgenau pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court on Tuesday to 15 charges including threatening violence, threats, assault occasioning bodily harm, distributing intimate images and threats to distribute intimate images.

Judge Deborah Holliday sentenced Lutgenau to two-and-a-half years’ prison with immediate parole. Lutgenau has spent about nine months in pre-sentence custody.

She said she took into account there were mitigating circumstances such as the business Lutgenau worked for folding, the dissolution of his relationship and battles with liver cancer.

Mark Lutgenau was sentenced by Judge Deborah Holliday to two-and-a-half years’ prison with immediate parole. Photo: Supplied QLD Police

“None of that explains why you would then react the way you did to your family,” she said.

“There is absolutely no excuse for the conduct that you committed on your family.”

Crown prosecutor Mitch Whelan said Lutgenau’s partner asked him to leave their house after an argument on March 15.

He returned in the afternoon, assaulted her by grabbing her by the throat.

He also threatened to kill her by shooting her or burning their house down while she was inside.

At one point he said: “I will take a thing (hit) out on your (number) plates and out on you. Do you want to lose your life driving?”

The court was told it was an effort to prevent the relationship break-up.

Mr Whelan said Lutgenau left but he contacted her the following day and threatened to release intimate images of her.

When she confused to comply with demands he sent an intimate video to the woman’s mother.

Police negotiators attempted to get Lutgenau to surrender but he refused and made the threats to kill instead.

While Lutgenau was on the run an Ormeau school was briefly placed into lockdown.

Defence barrister Nick McGhee, instructed by Ashkan Tai Lawyers, said Lutgenau’s time in custody had been a “wake up call” and he was attempting to do some anger management courses.

He said until recently Lutgenau had been a contributing member of the community.

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