UPDATE: A former pest-controller, Timothy Paul, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for his role in a black-market gun operation and violent assault in Mulgrave. The Victorian County Court confirmed this urgent development on July 31, 2023, highlighting a dangerous trajectory of criminal behavior that poses a significant risk to public safety.
Paul, aged 35, pleaded guilty to possessing a traffickable amount of firearms and recklessly causing injury. This conviction follows his release from prison less than two months prior, raising alarming questions about his continued criminal activity. Judge Kevin Doyle noted that Paul had intended to sell stolen firearms, including a World War II antique rifle, creating an “obvious” danger to the community.
In an unsettling series of events, Paul was connected to a burglary last year where he and three others stole valuable firearms from a home in Drouin. Among the items taken were a Sturm Ruger .300 Winchester rifle and a Stirling Model 14 .22 Rimfire rifle. Paul reportedly attempted to sell the antique Enfield MK3 .303 rifle for $3,500 shortly after the theft, indicating a premeditated plan to profit from illegal activities.
The case took a violent turn when Paul, enraged over a supposed theft of $2,500 from his residence, confronted one of the burglars in a shed at Diesel Handley’s property. Armed with a machete, Paul, alongside Handley wielding a truncheon, threatened and assaulted the victim, slashing his head. The brutality of the attack was described by Judge Doyle as “gangster-like” behavior, underscoring the serious nature of the offenses.
The victim was later hospitalized at Dandenong Hospital, where he provided critical evidence against Paul and his accomplices, leading to a plea agreement that resulted in a lighter sentence for his own involvement in the Drouin burglary. This illustrates the ripple effect of violence and crime on the community and the justice system.
Paul’s criminal history includes previous sentences for drug trafficking and firearm possession, marking a troubling pattern of behavior exacerbated by drug addiction and personal losses. Judge Doyle acknowledged Paul’s struggles with depression and addiction, but emphasized that these factors did not significantly mitigate his criminal actions over the past six years.
Following this sentencing, Paul will serve the first 343 days of his term in pre-sentence custody, with a non-parole period of 18 months. His co-accused, Diesel Handley, received an eight-month sentence for recklessly causing injury.
As this story develops, authorities and community members are left to grapple with the implications of this case. The dangers of illegal firearm possession and the violence tied to it remain pressing concerns for public safety. What happens next in this case will be closely watched, as the community seeks to address the underlying issues of crime and rehabilitation.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
