Ryan John Guilfoyle: Suspended imprisonment order for fence destruction, graphic threats, and violent assault

A Denmark writer has copped a $3500 fine and a 12-month suspended prison sentence for the “harrowing” assault of a police officer and the destruction of $5000 worth of fencing in a drunken rampage. Ryan John Guilfoyle, 37, appeared via video link from Albany Regional Prison in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday for sentencing on counts of assaulting a public officer, making a threat, trespassing, criminal damage, and disorderly behaviour in a police lockup. Guilfoyle pleaded guilty to the charges on May 9. Police prosecutor Sgt Warrick Walker told the court how on March 27 Guilfoyle destroyed four farming fences worth $5000 and graphically threatened and assaulted a police officer while in a police lockup. Over 20 minutes, an inebriated Guilfoyle drove a ute into paddocks in Hay, ploughing through farming fences and doing doughnuts. While in lock-up after his arrest, Guilfoyle threatened an officer and his family, telling him he would bite off the officer’s toes and fingers and beat him to a pulp. Concerned that the prisoner might self-harm, the police officer tried to check if Guilfoyle had drawstrings in his pants but was dragged into the cell and assaulted. The officer restrained Guilfoyle but Guilfoyle lunged at the officer’s face and tried to bite him in what Sgt Walker described as a “harrowing” experience for the officer. Guilfoyle was then placed in a secure padded cell. Defence lawyer Elizabeth Hamilton said her client required “significant help” and had “very little recollection” of the events before his arrest. Ms Hamilton requested an intensive supervision order for her client. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell described Guilfoyle as a “complex person” with a “reasonably extensive criminal history” who displays “anti-authoritarian” behaviour. She found that Guilfoyle drank to excess after plans to see his daughter fell through, which led to his “destructive” behaviour. Ms O’Donnell said she was concerned by Guilfoyle’s “out of control” behaviour and “overt threats” to the officer while in lock-up. “The officer was trying to make sure you weren’t trying to self-harm and you assaulted him,” she said. Guilfoyle was fined $2000 for trespassing and the damage to the farm fencing and $1500 for his disorderly behaviour while locked up. He was also ordered to pay $141.50 in court costs. For assaulting and threatening the officer, he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and suspended for 12 months.