A Bega man who pointed an imitation pistol at police officers in a drunken New Year’s Eve incident has been sentenced to 200 hours’ community service.
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Steven James Carder, 29, of Upper St, Bega, was arrested on December 31 after he was seen carrying an imitation Glock 17 pistol and a 20cm Ghurka fighting knife on Heath St in Bega.
According to police called to check it out, Carder drew what they believed was a fully operational pistol from a thigh holster and pointed it at them.
Four officers in two marked police vehicles took evasive action before forming what was described as a “contain and negotiate” manoeuver, directing Carder to drop the pistol, which he then did.
In an interview following his arrest, Carder said he was “extremely intoxicated” after drinking 16 full strength beers and had no memory of pointing the replica at police officers, nor of being in possession of the fighting knife. However, photographic evidence showed otherwise.
A second smaller knife was also found in a pocket of his camouflage pants.
Carder said he had purchased the imitation pistol, which fires water pellets, online for $30.
Carder previously pleaded guilty to four counts of assaulting police, being armed with an unauthorised pistol, two counts of carrying a knife in a public place, being armed with the intent to commit an indictable offence, and one count of common assault.
In Bega Local Court on Tuesday, February 27, Magistrate Doug Dick sentenced Carder to 200 hours’ community service in lieu of a prison term for the offences. He was also fined a total of $7500.