Prison rioter Michael Bernard Luke Delta threw weapons at guards

One of the 64-odd men charged over a chaotic 16-hour prison riot, which included him sniffing petrol and eating tuna from the rooftops, has learned his fate.

A Gladstone drug user threw a Molotov cocktail, rocks and makeshift spears at prison guards during a chaotic riot at a Rockhampton jail.

Michael Bernard Luke Delta, 31, was one of 64-odd men charged over the 2021 Capricornia Correctional Centre 16-hour prison riot.

Delta had been behind bars for breaching his parole by racking up drug offences.

SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGE DISCUSS USE WITH YOUR EDITOR - Michael Bernard Luke Delta, 28, appeared in Gladstone Magistrates Court via videolink on Tuesday and applied for bail.

Since the riot, he has been sentenced for harassing and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Crown prosecutor Ryan Godfrey on Thursday told Rockhampton District Court that Delta had not instigated or led the riot involving about 120 prisoners who caused about $1.2m in damages.

But he said Delta “was clearly an active willing participant”.

“He armed himself, made threats to corrective services officers and cumulated in him throwing a (lit) Molotov cocktail at a group of corrective services officers,” Mr Godfrey said.

Michael Bernard Luke Delta.

Damage caused by prisoners during the riot.

Delta was part of a group who threatened to harm correctional officers and their families when upon release from prison.

He was also part of a 20 to 30-strong group of prisoners who ran at a fence that separated them from correctional officers, and threw rocks and makeshift spears.

The father of two was also busted on top of a roof at the jail sniffing petrol, eating tuna, and playing the didgeridoo while others chanted through megaphones and waved Aboriginal flags.

“There was also the throwing back of gas canisters that correctional officers were deploying to try and control the situation,” Judge Jeff Clarke said.

Police vehicles at the perimeter of the Capricornia Correctional Centre during the riot.

Delta pleaded guilty to taking part in a prison riot and was sentenced to 15 months jail, which will start after the expiration of the sentences he is currently serving.

Judge Clarke ordered Delta be eligible to apply for parole from May 14, 2023.

Originally published as Prison rioter Michael Bernard Luke Delta threw weapons at guards