A man has admitted he "got carried away" when he pulled an "incredibly realistic" imitation handgun on a woman during a road rage confrontation, a court has heard.
Deane Richard Roach, 49, was sentenced in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, July 20, after pleading guilty to one count of unauthorised possession or use of a prohibited firearm.
The court heard the 2025 road rage confrontation involved a "two-way display of very, very poor driving" before Roach pulled the unloaded imitation Glock on the woman "in an attempt to scare her".
Roach acknowledged the "spontaneous" act "obviously had the desired effect", his lawyer said.
He said there was "poetic justice" in the circumstances of the man's arrest, telling the court the driver was soon confronted by multiple armed police officers, including specialist officers, who believed he was armed.
He said the experience left his client with "shame and regret", adding that Roach now recognises "the fear that the victim would have felt".
The lawyer added that more than a year had passed since the offending, during which Roach had reflected on his actions and was willing to apologise directly to the victim.
He sought a wholly suspended sentence, arguing the experience of being arrested had already served as a significant deterrent.
The prosecutor agreed the confrontation would have been "a very traumatic experience" for the victim, but did not oppose a suspended sentence and submitted community service would be appropriate.
Magistrate James Stewart said the driver's actions were a serious and inappropriate escalation.
"It would seem that he accepts that he lost his temper on the day and unfortunately had this imitation pistol within reach and used it in a very inappropriate way," Mr Stewart said.
"It would have been, and Mr Roach accepts that it was, a frightening experience for the [victim]."
Finding that Roach had shown remorse and insight into the offending, Mr Stewart ruled that while the crime warranted a jail sentence, it could be served in the community.
Roach was sentenced to 88 days' jail, wholly suspended for 12 months upon entering a good behaviour order. He was also ordered to complete 37 hours of community service.
