Shane Tickner sentenced at Gladstone for vexatious Triple-0 call

With five police officers standing nearby, a man who had overstayed his welcome at a Central Queensland hotel, made a vexatious Triple-0 call claiming the cops were attacking him.

Shane John Tickner, 45, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to charges including improper use of emergency call service. Generic image.

A man who made a vexatious Triple-0 call claiming police were attacking him while five officers were standing nearby, has faced court.

Shane John Tickner, 45, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to charges including improper use of emergency call service, and possessing a knife in public.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said on October 4, police were called to a hotel on Gladstone’s Goondoon Street because Tickner and his partner were overstaying their checkout time and making threats to other occupants.

“Police assisted (Tickner) and his girlfriend with them moving their property and belongings to the front of the motel near the driveway,” Sgt Hoskins said.

“While out the front (Tickner) became belligerent and argumentative with police.”

Sgt Hoskins said Tickner was given a move-on direction to move 50m away from the hotel entry.

Tickner refused to comply.

Gladstone Courthouse.

Sgt Hoskins said there were five police officers present and they saw Tickner use his mobile phone to call Triple-0.

Tickner was warned not to call Triple-0 or he would be charged.

“Police attempted to stop (Tickner) from making the vexatious Triple-0 call,” Sgt Hoskins said.

“(Tickner) gripped his mobile phone tight and began screaming into his phone that he wanted a sergeant present because he was being attacked in Gladstone.”

The Triple-0 call lasted for one minute and 39 seconds.

Tickner was arrested and taken to the police watch-house.

Then on December 14, police caught Tickner possessing a knife in public on Gladstone’s Toolooa Street.

Solicitor Rio Ramos said Tickner, unemployed, was frustrated at the time of the hotel incident and it was a “stupid moment.”

Magistrate Mary Buchanan fined Tickner $1750 and convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Shane Tickner sentenced at Gladstone for vexatious Triple-0 call