Geoffrey Kunne, accused of triggering stand-off with police and spraying bleach on officer, deemed fit for trial

A Toowoomba man accused of spraying bleach at a police officer ultimately triggering a five-hour stand off has mental health evaluated.

A man accused of trying to set his house on fire, spraying a police office with bleach and triggering a tense five-hour stand-off has been deemed fit to stand trial.

Geoffrey Kunne was not required in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday, December 5, after his case was briefly mentioned by solicitor Claire Graham of Skuse Graham Criminal Lawyers.

Ms Graham told the court her client’s matters were currently suspended under the mental health act, while a report was conducted, and since completed.

The report officially deemed Kunne fit, while Ms Graham waits for suspension to be lifted to proceed with a registry committal.

A five-four stand-off in South Toowoomba ended peacefully after tactical officers from the Queensland Police Special Emergency Response Team managed to enter the house and take a man into custody. Photo: Jarrard Potter.

Kunne, 59, has not been required to enter a plea to 12 charges which include five counts of acts intended to resist or prevent lawful arrest and one count each of arson, possessing dangerous drugs, wilful damage of police property, serious assault of a police officer and obstructing police that stem from his stand-off with police at his Ruthven Street home on November 24, 2021.

Police allege Mr Kunne sprayed an officer in the face with bleach, which kicked off the tense scene which only ended when Public Safety Response Team officers stormed the premises.

He was taken to Toowoomba Hospital where he underwent surgery and has been held in custody since.

Kunne’s matter was adjourned to January 23, 2023.