Queensland

Alleged Tingalpa shooter appears in Brisbane court on murder charges

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A man accused of a shooting murder in Brisbane's east has refused to stand for the magistrate as he appeared in court hours after allegedly handing himself in with a shotgun stuffed down the front of his pants.

Clayton David Backman, 25, appeared in the Roma Street Magistrates Court on Friday morning, charged with the murder of father-of-three Leslie Michael Brooks.

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The accused, who also faced unrelated stealing charges on the same day in what Magistrate Anthony Gett noted as a coincidence, smiled and gave his mother a thumbs up as she sat in the back of the court, occasionally shaking her head.

"I love you," he said to his mother as he was led out of the court.

Alleged gunman Clayton Backman surrendered himself to police after the Tingalpa shooting.
Alleged gunman Clayton Backman surrendered himself to police after the Tingalpa shooting. Photo: Facebook

A barefoot Mr Backman, in a prison jumper with denim shorts exposing a large swastika tattoo on his right knee, was vocal during his short court appearance.

He refused to stand for the magistrate even after a police officer twice rapped on the glass-walled prisoner dock, saying "stand up".

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The court heard Mr Backman had wanted to plead guilty to the lesser offences, which included receiving tainted property and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

"But then it (time in custody) doesn't get backdated yeah?" he said when Magistrate Gett informed him those allegations would be dealt with at a latre date.

Les Brooks died after he was shot in the abdomen.
Les Brooks died after he was shot in the abdomen. Photo: Facebook

Mr Backman was unrepresented after being unable to immediately contact his lawyer or speak to a duty lawyer.

"I couldn't contact them until this morning about the shooting," he said.

Samantha, the mother of Clayton David Backman, accused of the shooting murder of Leslie Michael Brooks, leaves the Roma ...
Samantha, the mother of Clayton David Backman, accused of the shooting murder of Leslie Michael Brooks, leaves the Roma Street Magistrates Court. Photo: Jorge Branco

"They didn't know about the shooting until last night, I handed myself in last night ... He knows about the murder charge now but he didn't know until 9.30 this morning."

When told by the magistrate he could not apply for bail, as it could only be granted by a higher court with such serious charges, Mr Backman replied "yeah, yeah fine".

About 11.30pm Thursday, he allegedly handed himself in to the Brisbane City Watchhouse, around the back of the same building, with a loaded sawn-off shotgun in the front of his pants.

Mr Backman was held overnight and after a lengthy delay on Friday, he was led into the glass-walled prisoner dock about 10.15am.

His mother, Samantha, and two supporters waited most of the morning for his appearance, sat in the back row of the public gallery.

Mr Backman motioned to her repeatedly throughout the short hearing.

Because of the seriousness of the charge, Mr Backman must apply to a higher court for bail if he wants to be released.

The matter was adjourned until December 19. Mr Backman's mother declined to comment outside court.

Just before 4pm Thursday, emergency services rushed to Dialba Crescent at Tingalpa after neighbours reported shouting and a gunshot.

Mr Brooks, a Wynnum man whose friends and family were mourning on Friday, was rushed to the Princess Alexandra Hospital with a gunshot wound to his stomach but could not be saved.

Police launched a manhunt that ended when Mr Backman handed himself in and was charged with murder and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Before the murder charge, he was already listed to appear in court on Friday on unrelated charges, of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two counts each of stealing and receiving tainted property.

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