Latest news with #DeceptionBay

News.com.au
01-07-2025
- News.com.au
Man's appeal over ‘Mexican standoff' murder conviction rejected
In a violent confrontation described by a court as a 'ridiculous Mexican standoff', a man was fatally shot outside his Deception Bay home in 2018. On Tuesday, the Queensland Court of Appeal rejected an appeal by the shooter, Justin John Meale, upholding his life sentence for murder. The case stems from a dramatic and deadly confrontation over a failed drug deal between Meale and Clinton 'Rocky' Pollock that escalated on the night of September 2, 2018. Mr Pollock, who had a reputation for violence, sent a series of threatening messages to Meale, including one warning that he would 'spray your hole house up'. Meale then arrived at Pollock's Deception Bay home armed with a loaded, shortened .22 rifle concealed down his pants. During a tense exchange described in court as a 'ridiculous Mexican standoff', Meale fatally shot an unarmed Mr Pollock outside the house. Mr Pollock's sister, who lived with him and her son, was woken about 11.30pm by the sound of a car and witnessed the shooting. After her brother was shot, she helped him back inside and attempted to call police, but Mr Pollock grabbed the phone from her. Her screams woke her son, who found Mr Pollock 'hunched over on the couch in the lounge room gasping for air'. The nephew's girlfriend, along with a neighbour, helped lay Mr Pollock on the floor. He died shortly after. Meale claimed he intended only to wound Mr Pollock, aiming for the shoulder, and said he fled the scene out of fear of being shot. Following the shooting, Meale and his companions attempted to hide the weapon and misled police by providing false information. He lied about his presence at the scene, involvement in the shooting, gun ownership, and the location where the firearm was disposed of. At trial, these actions were presented as evidence of a 'consciousness of guilt'. The jury returned their verdict after less than an hour of deliberation. Justice Thomas Bradley handed down a mandatory life sentence, noting Meale's history of drug use, developmental challenges, including Asperger's syndrome and autism spectrum disorder, and limited formal education but emphasising the gravity of the offence. In the Court of Appeal, Meale challenged whether he had the necessary intent for murder and argued that self-defence should apply. However, the court, led by president Mullins and justices Brown and Wilson, found the original jury was properly instructed, and the evidence supported the verdict beyond reasonable doubt. The court unanimously dismissed the appeal, confirming the life sentence and rejecting claims of judicial error.

News.com.au
11-05-2025
- News.com.au
Quick-thinking officers help deliver baby in station car park
Two Queensland police officers have been praised for their quick-thinking and calm under pressure after helping deliver a baby boy in the car park of their Deception Bay police station. Constables Jacob Pennisi and Philippe Stigner were returning from morning call-outs around 9.20am on March 1 when they were flagged down by Nathaniel Pedler, who urgently needed help. Mr Pedler's wife, Julie, was in the final stages of labour and the couple had pulled into the station knowing they wouldn't make it to hospital in time. Constable Stigner stepped in to assist with the delivery, relaying instructions from a triple-0 operator who guided them through the process. Less than five minutes later, baby Blake was born. Constable Pennisi said hearing the baby's first cries brought instant relief. 'The call operator asked us to get a towel to wrap up the baby and to keep both mum and baby warm,' Constable Pennisi said. 'We found a towel in the back of the car, wrapped the baby up and the paramedics came about five minutes later. 'It all happened very fast. We definitely didn't expect to be involved with a birth that day, but that's the thing about this job, every day is different, every call out is unique.' The Pedler family recently returned to the Deception Bay station to thank the officers in person. Mrs Pedler said she had been caught off guard by how quickly her labour progressed and appreciated the police for stepping in. 'It was all very quick on the day, it was nice to have the help of the police,' she said. On Sunday, the Queensland Police Service wished Mrs Pedler a very special Mother's Day, filled with 'newborn cuddles and smiles'.