David Glen Clifford: Nyabing man who shot at a grader operator’s vehicle avoids immediate jail

A Nyabing man who shot a case of bullets that hit a grader operator’s vehicle, has avoided immediate jail time. David Glen Clifford appeared in Katanning Magistrates Court on December 16 where he was sentenced for endangering the life, health or safety of a person, firing a firearm across a road and unlawful firearm possession. The 45-year-old had pleaded guilty to the three charges on October 14. On September 10 a grader operator was completing road works in Nyabing when his driver’s door was struck with rifle bullets. The victim tried to exit the vehicle but was trapped because the bullet had damaged the door. Later, Clifford turned himself into police and the firearm were seized on September 18. Defence lawyer Larina Piesse told the court that on that day of the incident her client was in a poor mental state and had not slept for three to four days because of extreme stress, going on to say Clifford had got his father’s gun out with suicidal intentions. Ms Piesse said these thoughts were escalated by his recent methamphetamine relapse. She said Clifford was visited by his son at the family’s Nyabing farming property, and after an emotional conversation Clifford realised he “didn’t want to die” and in a wave a high emotion shot a round of bullets across the paddock to empty the case. Ms Piesse said Clifford knew the road, which is about 200m away from the family property, was closed and did not expect road workers to be there. She said that it is not lost on her client that if the bullet had “gone slightly askew” it may have harmed or killed the driver and that Clifford “feels incredibly lucky”. Ms Piesse said Clifford felt traumatised by these thoughts and had apologised to the victim via the police. Ms Piesse handed up three character references for the magistrate to read. Police prosecutor Sgt Dylan Fisher said Clifford’s actions were a very serious offence that posed a real threat to the victim who was just going about his day. Sgt Fisher said Clifford had his firearms licence revoked in 2024 and was well aware he was not allowed to posses the rifle. He said the incident highlighted the danger and potentially catastrophic consequences of firearms when in the wrong hands. Sgt Fisher told the court the maximum sentence totalled 15 years jail for all three charges. Magistrate Rosemarie Myers said she agreed it was an “extremely serious offence” as Clifford not only took a gun that was not his from the home, but discharged a round into the “never never” which would always be dangerous to the community. Ms Myers said in all circumstances a term of immediate jail was warranted, but she would suspend it because of Clifford’s early plea, his openness in court, accountability and treatment needs to “deal with his personal demons”. Clifford was sentenced to seven months jail suspended for 12 months with supervision and program conditions. Lifeline: 13 11 14.