Nathan David Miller found with large knife outside Coles Mooloolaba

Police were called to reports of a “suspect” person at a popular Sunshine Coast supermarket when they found a landscaper with a 40cm blade that could “do a lot of damage”.

Nathan David Miller leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court on February 20, 2025. Picture: Sam Turner

A Caboolture man has been heavily fined after being found with a massive knife inside his car outside a popular Coles supermarket on the Sunshine Coast.

Police were called to Coles Mooloolaba to reports of a “suspect” person in the business’ car park about 1am on February 1.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard on Thursday how police spoke to three men standing next to a car, one being Nathan David Miller.

The 28-year-old had his car searched by police after he was cautioned. He was asked if he had anything to declare.

Police prosecutor Mark Burrell said the Caboolture man told officers there was a knife under the passenger seat.

The court heard the bladed weapon which was found was about 40cm long. Miller told police he had no lawful reason for having it.

Sergeant Burrell said the carrying of knives and violence associated with them was a matter of great public concern and should be deterred.

It was not suggested Miller used the knife.

Miller outside court. Picture: Sam Turner

Sergeant Burrell told the court the knife was “substantial” in nature and could not be something which could simply be carried out by mistake or used for something.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan agreed and said it looked like it “could do a lot of damage”.

Duty lawyer Michael Robinson said Miller accepted he had possession of the knife when it was found by police, but was instructed the knife belonged to one of the men who he was with at the time.

Mr Robinson said this person was not known to him, however the 28-year-old did not object when they produced a knife and put it under a seat in Miller’s car.

The solicitor said Miller could have told the man not to place it in the vehicle, and claimed it was different to other knife offences where people carry them in public.

“It’s a bad looking knife, it’s 40cm long … it’s got a sharp blade on one side … then there’s the serrated hooks on the other side,” Mr Callaghan said.

Miller pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place and was fined $600 with a conviction recorded.

One strategy adopted by Queensland Police was Jack’s Law, eponymously named after 17-year-old Jack Beasley who was stabbed to death at Surfers Paradise in 2019.

Police say this legislation allows officers to use a metal detector to scan for weapons or knives in authorised locations. This was expanded in late 2024 to allow wanding in other public areas such as pubs, sporting precincts and shopping centres.

Originally published as Nathan David Miller found with large knife outside Coles Mooloolaba