Michael Tillman, facing Surfers Paradise stabbing frenzy charge, turns self in after 11 years on run

A fugitive and ex-snooker champion who allegedly stabbed a man 11 times, before eye gouging him and pulling out his teeth, has handed himself in after a decade-plus on the run.

A FUGITIVE and ex-snooker champion who allegedly stabbed a man 11 times, before eye gouging him and pulling out his teeth, has handed himself in after a decade-plus on the run.

Michael Tillman, 49, who for years featured on the nation’s most wanted list, spent 11 years evading authorities over the attempted murder of Troy Kiss after a night out in Surfers Paradise, and a vicious attack on a man at a Benowa pub.

Detectives had ramped up efforts over the past 12 months to put Tillman behind bars, pressuring him and his associates.

He eventually handed himself into Surry Hills Police Station, Sydney, on Wednesday afternoon, almost 11 years after he failed to show up to Southport Magistrates Court.

Police say they are pleased the man is back in custody.

Michael Tillman was wanted by Queensland police. Photo courtesy of NSW Police

Michael Tillman at Southport court.

Gold Coast detectives will travel to NSW where they are expected to apply for his extradition.

Tillman, a former NSW snooker champion and Australian eightball representative, allegedly tried to gouge out Mr Kiss’ eyes and pull out his teeth before stabbing the then-24-year-old 11 times on September 17, 2010. He was charged with attempted murder and grievous bodily harm over the incident.

Mr Kiss suffered a punctured lung, pierced liver and pierced diaphragm, but survived the attack.

Tillman, Mr Kiss and two others went back to the apartment after partying at a nightclub opening in Surfers Paradise, a court has previously been told. The court previously heard there had been falling out over a nightclub dancer they both liked.

Tillman is also wanted over an assault of a patron at the Benowa Tavern, which left the man missing part of his nose. He is expected to be formerly charged over that alleged assault incident once he returns to Queensland.

NSW police confirmed the arrest on Thursday.

“A 49-year-old man remains in custody at Surry Hills Police Station after being arrested on an outstanding Queensland Police Service warrant about 4pm Wednesday,” a statement said.

“It is expected the warrant will be executed (Thursday) and NSW Police will continue to work with Queensland Police regarding the man’s extradition.”

Tillman was previously sentenced to six years’ jail in 2004 for the manslaughter of fellow snooker player Christopher Millen outside of a Sydney pub in 2003.

During the attack Tillman gouged Mr Millen’s eyes.

After his arrest for attempted murder in 2010, his lawyer told Southport Magistrates Court he had come to the Gold Coast on parole in 2006 for a fresh start and had reinvented himself as a software business owner after feeling ostracised from the snooker community.

He was granted bail with a $20,000 surety – despite opposition from police.

Tillman featured on a list of wanted fugitives across Australia, targeted through Operation Roam, an initiative by police and Crimestoppers.

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