Tasmanian man Charles Vincent Read jailed for shotgun-blasting home invasion in Moonah

A Tasmanian man who was banned from possessing firearms when he threatened a Hobart woman with a loaded shotgun inside her own home has been jailed for three years.

Charles Read at the Hobart Magistrates Court. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A Tasmanian man who was banned from possessing firearms when he threatened a Hobart woman with a loaded shotgun inside her own home has been jailed for three years.

Charles Vincent Read, 25, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary, and one count of possessing a firearm in defiance of a prohibition order, relating to an incident at a Moonah address on 29 July, 2023.

Charles Vincent Read, 25.

The Supreme Court heard Read and an accomplice illegally entered the unit just after 1pm, before walking into the bedroom of its sleeping occupant.

After firing a shotgun round into the wall, Read demanded the woman reveal the whereabouts of a third person, before grabbing his victim by the shirtfront.

“I should bash you, I should kill you,” Read yelled.

Soon after fleeing to an address in Sorell, Read was arrested by officers from Tasmania Police.

Justice Stephen Estcourt said at the time of the offence, the defendant was subject to bail conditions; a family violence order; and a firearms-prohibition order – which all barred his legal access to weapons.

Charles Read. Photo: Facebook

Justice Estcourt described Read’s offending as extremely serious, but said he had pleaded guilty at an early opportunity. and had expressed genuine remorse for his actions.

His Honour sentenced the defendant to three years’ imprisonment, but suspended the last year of the term for a period of 12 months.

Justice Estcourt ordered Read’s sentence not begin until the conclusion of his current period of incarceration.

Originally published as Tasmanian man Charles Vincent Read jailed for shotgun-blasting home invasion in Moonah