Former Qld cop faces charges after disruptive incident

Just days after being released on parole, a “traumatised” former police officer turned drug addict was threatening to smash up an employment office and making a watch-house cell “unusable”.

Warren Muller.

Just days after being released on parole, a former Queensland police officer threatened to smash the window of a business in Rockhampton’s CBD and urinated on the wall and floor of a holding cell after his arrest.

Warren Gustav Muller, 52, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count each of committing public nuisance and wilful damage.

Police prosecutor Tiffany Moras said Muller, from Toowoomba, entered an employment centre near The Oxford Hotel, on July 24 and became aggressive towards staff when they asked if they could help.

Ms Moras said Muller picked up a chair and threatened to smash the front window of the building, which led to staff calling police.

She said Muller told police he was trying to access his money as he was attempting to travel home to Toowoomba.

Muller was arrested and transported to Rockhampton Watchhouse and placed in a holding cell.

Ms Moras said after being placed in the cell, Muller started urinating on the wall.

“The defendant was warned about his actions and told to use the toilet 2m from where he was standing,” she said.

“The defendant continued urinating on the wall and floor of the cell.”

She said due to Muller’s actions, the cell had to be cleaned and was unable to be used.

Muller committed the offences three days after being released on parole on July 21.

Defence lawyer Jess King said her client had recently travelled from Toowoomba to Rockhampton before committing the offences.

“He lost his medication in the journey on the train and hadn’t had his medication for about four days,” she said.

“He wasn’t thinking clearly.

“His behaviour was more erratic.”

Ms King said her client had joined Queensland Police Service in his 20s but left the job after five years due to post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his time in the job.

She said as well as his mental health issues, her client also developed a drug habit.

“His relationships with family and partners declined and he fell into trouble with the law and that has been an ongoing pattern for him since that time,” she said.

She said her client had been in custody for 86 days since his arrest.

Muller told the court he was “very remorseful”.

“I am very remorseful for what I had, what I threw away and how I let it go now,” he said.

“I will get better though if I stick to my medication and get back around people I know love me and care about me.”

He was fined $600.

Criminal convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Former Qld cop faces charges after disruptive incident