John Andrew Leisha jailed for threatening to rape Rockhampton police

When police responded to reports a worker at a retreat had been assaulted and customers were too frightened to go into the business, they quickly found out why.

A generic photo of Queensland Police. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

A drunk dad who allegedly assaulted workers at a retreat went on to threaten to rape police officers.

John Andrew Leisha, 43, had been remanded in the Rockhampton watch house after being picked up on a warrant for the threat to police.

He pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 16 to one count each of public nuisance, possessing drugs and failing to appear in court.

Police prosecutor Mirren Smith said police attended an Alma St business where a worker had allegedly been assaulted by Leisha on May 13 about 3.30pm.

Ms Smith said the defendant continued his behaviour, threatening to assault police, calling police words such as dog c***s, scum c***s, and also telling police he was going to rape them.

She said Leisha directed further “disgusting” comments at a female officer before a third officer arrived at the scene.

She described Leisha as having “squared up” to the third officer in a threatening manner and said police spoke with staff at the retreat business, who told them Leisha’s behaviour had stopped people from coming and going from the business.

Ms Smith said there was no official assault complaint lodged with police.

She said Leisha was arrested for public nuisance and transported to the watch house where he was searched and 0.52 grams of marijuana found.

Leisha was released on bail but failed to appear in court on May 30, with a warrant issued.

He was located in Moura on July 15.

Defence lawyer Blake Frost said his client, an unemployed father of two, was under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Magistrate Lance Rundle sentenced Leisha to three months’ prison, wholly suspended with an operational period of 12 months.

However, the court heard Leisha was subject to a return to prison warrant and he was remanded in custody.

Originally published as John Andrew Leisha jailed for threatening to rape Rockhampton police