William Geoffrey Kay fronts court for serious assault police while armed, possess bong

There were tense scenes at a property near Gympie as police surrounded a shed where a carpenter was armed with a crossbow. Now, the apprentice tradesman at the centre of the standoff has been sentenced.

A 26-year-old apprentice carpenter has fronted court after he locked himself in a shed with a bow and arrow, and pointed it at a police officer in April.

William Geoffrey Kay appeared in Gympie Magistrates Court from the dock on Tuesday morning, supported by his parents in the public gallery.

The court heard Kay, who has schizophrenia and a number of other mental health issues, had taken to drinking after a problem with his medication on April 13.

Defence lawyer Lisa Taylor said her client was grieving the loss of three of his grandparents, who had died two years earlier, and turned to vodka to cope.

William Geoffrey Kay in 2014. Photo: Facebook

This led to a drunk and angry argument with his parents, who called the police.

But Kay fled the property before they arrived.

He returned the next morning, still drunk and agitated, and the police were called a second time.

The court heard Kay then locked himself in a shed on the property, armed with a compound crossbow.

“He was calling to the police to kill him,” Defence lawyer Lisa Taylor said.

Kay then pointed the weapon at one of the officers, but he did not fire.

It was not shared in court how long this incident carried on until Kay was talked down and arrested.

The court heard he was taken into custody that same day, and had remained on remand since.

Ms Taylor said the events were a result of a “downward spiral”, but her client had already arranged to meet with a psychiatrist once he was released from jail.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan said it was clear Kay had a good support system around him, given his parents had turned up to support him in court.

“It could have ended tragically for you and others,” he said.

Kay pleaded guilty to four charges including serious assault police while armed and possessing a used bong.

He was released from prison and placed on 18 months’ probation.

Convictions were recorded.

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Originally published as William Geoffrey Kay fronts court for serious assault police while armed, possess bong