Drug user’s ‘Batman ornament’ actually a weapon

A 59 year old man waiting for a brain tumour operation claimed he did not know the dog shaped key ring charm was a weapon, saying he thought it was a Batman ornament.

A 59-year-old man waiting for a brain tumour operation claimed he did not know his dog-shaped key ring charm was a knuckle duster, saying he thought it was a Batman ornament.

William James Mcleod pleaded guilty on July 6 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count of possessing a drug utensil and one of possessing a weapon.

The court heard police attended Mcleod’s Murray Lane address in relation to another matter when they escorted him inside to get a shirt, observing a homemade bong in the living room and a set of keys with a dog head shaped knuckle duster attached.

Mcleod told police the dog charm was just a key ring, however, police searched the web and found it was a knuckle duster sold by an American company.

Defence lawyer Emma Locke said Mcleod was unemployed and waiting for a brain tumour operation.

She said he admitted he used marijuana occasionally.

Magistrate Jason Schubert pointed out numerous entries on Mcleod’s criminal record for drug offences, including convictions in 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Mcleod also had a conviction for supplying a dangerous drug to someone in a correctional centre.

He said the offences before the court occurred two months after Mcleod had been placed on a probation order for possessing drugs, utensils, weapons and some tainted property offences.

“Generally by 59 years old, most people have stopped this habit,” Mr Schubert said.

“(Yet), you are presenting before the court more frequently.”

He sentenced Mcleod to a one month prison term, wholly suspended and operational for six months.

Originally published as Drug user’s ‘Batman ornament’ actually a weapon