Tobin Andrew Sands in court for illegally possessing flick knife

A former miner whose colleagues were horrifically burned in an underground mine blast has faced court after police executed a search warrant.

Tobin Andrew Sands pleaded guilty in Bowen Magistrates Court to possessing a large flick knife at Collinsville.

A former miner traumatised after five of his workmates were horrifically burned in the underground Grosvenor blast has been warned after he was busted illegally carrying a large flick knife.

Police discovered the category M weapon while patting down Tobin Andrew Sands in their execution of a search warrant at a Collinsville address on January 21, 2023.

Bowen Magistrates Court heard Sands, 37, had been visiting the property when the raid occurred.

Prosecutor Lachlan Perry said officers found a “large” flick knife.

Tobin Andrew Sands pleaded guilty in Bowen Magistrates Court to possessing a large flick knife at Collinsville.

“It could be opened by a one-handed movement,” Mr Perry said, adding prosecution sought forfeiture of the weapon.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a category M weapon.

Solicitor Cleo Rewald said her client had not worked for about two years, but before that had been an underground miner.

“But he stepped away from that role after five of his workmates were injured after a gas emission,” Ms Rewald said.

The entry to Grosvenor Mine, near Moranbah. Picture: Daryl Wright

On May 5, 2020 five workers were seriously injured in an underground explosion at Anglo’s Grosvenor mine as a result of excess methane gas levels.

“He hasn’t been able to return to that employment as of yet,” Ms Rewald said, adding the workplace incident had an impact on him.

“He was visiting the address … and he’s had this on him … for no particular point,” Ms Rewald said.

Tobin Andrew Sands was given a good behaviour bond.

There was no allegation of any use of the weapon, just that he was in possession of the knife.

The court heard in view of the reason why police had been raiding the property “it’s not surprising that he’s charged with offence”.

Sands had no like offences on his limited criminal history and it was accepted he entered an early guilty pleas.

Magistrate Michelle Howard warned Sands against who he kept company with.

He was released on a $250 three-month good behaviour bond and a conviction was not recorded.

Originally published as Tobin Andrew Sands in court for illegally possessing flick knife