Alice Springs man who helped stabbing victim faces string of weapon charges

An NT man facing firearm charges is being helped by a community of shooters around the country who are funding his legal costs after he came to the aid of someone who had been stabbed.

AN Alice Springs man who rendered first aid to his neighbour who had been stabbed, is facing a string of criminal charges after police allegedly caught him in possession of a rifle at the scene.

But shooters from across the country have rallied to help Ron Sterry, 28, by donating to a pro shooting rights organisation who are helping to fund his legal costs.

Supplied Editorial Alice Springs residents Ron Sterry.

National Shooting Council (NSC) national secretary Neil Jenkins wrote on the NSC website that on April 6 Mr Sterry heard a commotion near his house and saw his neighbour laying on her driveway motionless after being stabbed in the back.

While another neighbour called an ambulance, Mr Sterry – allegedly in possession of a 1917 Eddystone rifle – administered first aid to the victim.

“Ron (who had a firearm license at the time of the incident) gave his neighbour first aid... until the ambos turned up,” Mr Jenkins said.

Mr Sterry was subsequently charged by police with weapons offences. He is facing five charges including carry a loaded firearm in a public place, carry a firearm in a public place, carry a controlled weapon in public, being armed in public, and possess a firearm.

Alice Springs resident Ron Sterry is facing criminal charges after rendering first aid to a neighbour.

To help Mr Sterry, the NSC then held fundraisers to help with legal costs, which raised more than $10,000 and hired Darwin based Barrister Jon Bortoli to represent him.

Mr Sterry’s is the first case NSC has funded in the Northern Territory but they are currently also funding 12 other firearm related legal cases across Australia.

Mr Bortoli said a fine was the most likely punishment if the offence was proven but the maximum penalty for the most serious charge was three years jail.

“If a fine is imposed, Ron will be automatically disqualified from holding a firearms licence for two years,” he said.

“This increases to five years if imprisonment is imposed. There is no discretion for the court to impose a shorter time period.”

Goyder MLA Kezia Purick has also taken interest in the case.

“Ron did what many would not do - he went into a violent situation to render first aid to a victim without a thought for his own safety,” she said.

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