Karl Griffiths threatens to kill servo workers at Biloela

Police were called to a late-night incident at a Central Queensland service station where a man threatened to kill staff, claiming he had been “ripped off”.

Karl Laurence Griffiths.

A man threatened to kill service station workers in a late-night incident at Biloela after claiming he had been “ripped off”.

Karl Laurence Griffiths, 41, pleaded guilty in Biloela Magistrates Court on December 7 to a public nuisance offence.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Carl Spargo said that at 12.30am on November 26, police were called to the Liberty service station at Biloela in relation to a disturbance.

Sgt Spargo said when police arrived, Griffiths was speaking to two customer service staff and police escorted him outside of the building.

Sgt Spargo said the staff told police Griffiths entered the store and complained his vape did not contain nicotine.

The staff members told Griffiths it was not their responsibility to inform him of that.

“(Griffiths) then threatened to kill both (staff members) twice and attempted to jump the service counter,” Sgt Spargo said.

Sgt Spargo said police spoke to Griffiths who claimed he had been “ripped off”.

He was subsequently charged.

The court heard Griffiths had a previous public nuisance offence on his criminal history.

Representing himself in court, Griffiths told Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale that he worked full-time at a power station and he was heavily intoxicated on the night of his offending.

“I was in a drunken state - I’m not a violent person,” Griffiths said.

Ms Beckinsale fined him $600 and a conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Karl Griffiths threatens to kill servo workers at Biloela