He was fined $2000 and placed on a Community Correction Order. He pleaded guilty, and received a discount on his sentence of 25 per cent. Magistrate Michael Holmes sentenced Laurie in response to his offending relating to alcohol consumption.

The court heard the offences occurred in the evening of May 26 when Laurie, who had recently separated from his wife of 25 years, went to see her to discuss their separation.

He had been drinking alcohol, and became violent while trying to resolve the separation. He damaged the house, his wife's glasses; and then assaulted his brother-in-law who was trying to intervene.

Laurie was arrested and when the police returned to his place of residence they retrieved a Marlin 17 HMR rifle and a box of Winchester HMR cartridges, two rifle bolts, and a box of 'ratshot' cartridges.

Through his solicitor, Laurie stated that he had been under a great deal of stress due to the break-up of his marriage, feeding livestock on his property, and the ongoing drought.

Laurie was sentenced for committing common assault offences and was ordered to pay a fine $1500. He was convicted of two offences of not keeping a firearm safely, for which he was fined $500. Laurie, was also sentenced to a Community Correction Order for 18 months, to start on July 22, 2019 and expiring on January 21, 2021.

"Mr Laurie must abstain or moderate from alcohol. You are to report to the Community Corrections Officer at Armidale within three days, comply with the Apprehended Violence Order's imposed on you on July 22; continue with psychological counselling," Magistrate Michael Holmes said.