Malcolm David Tschirpig in court for possessing nunchuks
An unlucky former fisherman who was busted with modified nunchuks when police went to his home to arrest somebody else has spent the past 154 days in jail.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man with an 11-page criminal history has avoided extending his stay in jail over nunchuks he modified to make more “ornamental”.
Malcolm David Tschirpig, 43, appeared at Gympie Magistrates Court by video link to plead guilty to unlawful possession of the restricted item, which were found in his possession during a police search on January 15, 2024 to arrest an associate of his.
Tschirpig told police he was unaware owning them was unlawful, the court heard.
Prosecutor Allison Johnstone told the court the nunchuks were originally a “training set” with plastic handles and had been made illegal after Tschirpig replaced the broken handles with timber ones.
Sergeant Johnstone said Tschirpig was unaware the modification made them unlawful.
Tschirpig’s defence lawyer said her client grew up with an alcoholic and abusive father, and had worked in a variety of jobs including as a building apprentice and commercial fisher.
He started using meth as a teenager, the court heard.
The police had previously taken the nunchuks, the court was told.
Upon their return Tschirpig found the plastic handles broken and so replaced them with wood to be “ornamental”.
Key $14b piece to Qld net zero energy plan on shaky ground
Dad chases dingo after toddler bitten in horror K’gari attack
Magistrate Michael Bice accepted Tschirpig’s plea, and said this offending was “not as serious” as previous crimes on his record.
The specifics of those offences were not mentioned in court.
As Tschirpig was on parole at the time the weapon was found, he was returned to custody and had already spent 154 days behind bars.
“Both parties agree … I convict you and not further punish,” Mr Bice said, noting this time as declared.
More Coverage
Originally published as Malcolm David Tschirpig in court for possessing nunchuks
Man’s 365km stealing spree leaves him thousands of dollars out of pocket
A man has blamed his ADHD medication and being over stretched with work for a prolific stealing spree in which he swiped items from businesses stretching from Gympie to Gladstone.
How businessman tried to sue police for $750k after bitter realty stoush
A regional Qld businessman who accused police of unlawful arrest and conspiracy has lost his claim against them, with the Supreme Court revealing extraordinary new details about his behaviour in another civil matter.
Star footy player to prisoner: Judge tells rape denier ‘clearly it was you’
A judge has rebuked the actions of a young Brisbane rapist who he said, “only stopped because a witness disturbed him”.
Tears as young Brisbane man guilty of raping woman he met at pub
A jury has found a young Brisbane man guilty of raping a woman after a night out at a pub ended with her in hospital suffering confronting injuries.
Rare moment of grace in courtroom highlights holes in social fabric
Court can be shocking and mundane, but sometimes it also brings a rare moment of humility and compassion while shining a light on societal issues, Carlie Walker writes.
‘On lunch, no supervision’: Why Qld daycare is charged with toddler’s death
Whimsically named the Bumble Bee room, a quiet space in a childcare centre became the backdrop for a tragedy which devastated a two-year-old’s family and landed the business in court.