Man burns dead cow, assaults firie

©iStockphoto/StanRohrer

A CALLIOPE man was fined $1200 and ordered to pay $300 restitution after burning a dead cow and assaulting a rural fire officer.

Peter Jon List, 41, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrate’s Court last week to serious assault of a public officer and lighting an unauthorised fire.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Brad Reynolds told the court two Rural Fire Brigade officers attended a Calliope property on the afternoon of October 23 after reports of a fire burning despite the area being on a fire ban. The fire was approximately two metres in diameter and was burning the remains of a cow.

An argument took place between Mr List and the firefighters, with Mr List following the officers to their vehicle and punching one of the firies through the open window. The victim suffered soreness to the jaw.

Duty Lawyer Paul Wonnocott said, in regards to the unauthorised fire, that Mr List was unaware that there were fire bans in place at the time.

Magistrate Damian Carroll said that this was an unacceptable excuse as it was during the time of the Rockhampton fires and the bans were widely publicised.

In regards to the serious assault, Mr Carroll said “personal violence against a public official is always a tough decision, especially during a time where there was a great deal of stress placed on them.

“Whether you were aware of the fire bans or not, this chap was just doing his job and he is entitled to respect.”

Despite a plea from Mr Wonnocott for no convictions to be recorded, they were, along with a hefty fine being enforced.

• In other court news, three men were charged with urinating in a public place. Robert Ian Webb received the highest fine as Magistrate Carroll deemed his behaviour to be particularly disgusting.

The court heard that Mr Webb urinated next to a couple using the ANZ ATM on October 25.

“I’m going to fine you more than the others,” said Mr Carroll.

“You could have hidden yourself from the people using the ATM.”

Mr Webb was fined $200.