Chopper Read attempts courthouse siege with shotgun, judge disarms him with kick
Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read attempted to force a judge to release his jailed friend on Australia Day 1978, brandishing a sawed-off shotgun in a Melbourne courthouse. Judge Bill Martin kicked Read in the groin, disarmed him, and Read received 13 years imprisonment. The quick-thinking judge later wrote to Read wishing.
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Published 17 Jul 2026, 01:40 UTC · Updated 17 Jul 2026, 01:50 UTC
Summary by OZbrief Editorial. Original report: SMH. Editorial policy · Corrections
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