Posted on: August 5, 2024, 08:16h.
Last updated on: August 5, 2024, 08:16h.
The attempted robbery of a pub quizmaster in Queensland, Australia appeared at first to be “World’s Dumbest Criminals” material. But authorities quickly realized they were dealing with something far more sinister, and that the perpetrator had been traumatized after recently escaping a terrifying casino kidnapping situation.
Shane Christopher Lees, 44, was arrested last November after attempting to steal a book and cellphone from the quizmaster in the city of Townsville, northeast Queensland, while armed with three kitchen knives.
The unnamed victim refused to hand over the items and Lees retreated from the scene, The Townsville Bulletin reports.
Lees was charged with attempted armed robbery and resisting arrest after he “thrashed around with his legs” while police later attempted to restrain him. He was found to be in possession of 6.3 grams of cannabis which added a “possession of a dangerous drug” charge to the rap sheet.
Kidnapped at Gunpoint
Police were initially skeptical when Lees told them about his kidnap ordeal, but they eventually came to realize he was telling the truth. They have now arrested several individuals who are accused of holding the man hostage at gunpoint for several days in an attempt to extort money from him.
Meanwhile, a psychologist’s report confirmed that Lees was probably experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, which caused him to be “distressed and paranoid” when he tried to rob the quizmaster.
Lees, a self-employed DJ, had arrived in Townsville from his hometown of Dimbulah in Queensland’s rural far north to purchase a vehicle. Afterwards, he hit the Ville Casino Resort in Townsville where he won a significant sum of money, according to court documents.
While there, he befriended two women with whom he confided that he was looking to buy a motorcycle. These women took him to meet a purported seller.
Lees was then kidnapped by a “number of other persons” and taken to “a unit,” where his hands were zip-tied and a shotgun was pointed at his head. He was held there for a number of days while his captors extorted $10K from him each day.
“You told (the psychologist) you recall plastic (sheets) being spread around the unit and you thought they were going to kill you,” said Judge Gregory Lynham at Lees’ sentencing hearing on Monday, August 5.
Daring Escape
Lees managed to free himself from the zip ties and escape through a window when his captors were asleep. The attempted robbery of the quizmaster occurred shortly afterwards.
Judge Lynham sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment Monday, wiping off six months because of the “bizarre background” of the case. Since Lees had been held in pre-trial detention for 250 days, he was released on parole because he had already served the mandatory one third of his sentence.
He fought back tears when he realized he was walking from the court a free man, according to The Bulletin.
Those who kept him hostage are yet to face trial.
