An aspiring rugby league player who unintentionally shot a man in the buttocks during a "drug deal gone bad" has been sentenced to time already served.
Thomas John Rae, 27, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court on Friday to unlawful wounding as well as possession of a shortened firearm in public, possession of a firearm with its identification marking removed and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Rae also pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and drug utensils when arrested and later assaulting a fellow detainee while in custody.
Crown prosecutor Zachary Kaplan told Judge Ian Dearden that Rae was originally charged with attempted murder after he shot a man through the buttocks with a rifle during a confrontation in a gym car park at Springwood, south of Brisbane, at 2.20am on June 10, 2021.
"There was no intent to strike (the victim) but the bullet broke through the skin," he said.
Mr Kaplan said the rifle was found eight days later in a room rented at Sea World and Rae's DNA was found on its trigger.
"The following day (Rae) was arrested. Police located a self-loading Glock pistol down his pants ... the identifying number on the pistol had been removed," he said.
Mr Kaplan said the man Rae shot had never co-operated with police or answered questions about the incident.
Defence barrister James Godbolt said Rae had been in custody for more than three years and planned to start a new life interstate with the support of his family involving "work and useful activities" when he was released.
"He has been used by others for their own purposes and at a cost to him," he said.
"He wants to make a clean break ... He was a gifted rugby league player and plans to reconnect with a local club."
Mr Godbolt said Rae had good prospects for rehabilitation if he managed to break free from a life that would otherwise see him spend many years in jail.
Judge Dearden said Rae had committed a serious example of wounding while attempting to intimidate someone who ran at him during "some sort of drug deal gone bad" but now wanted to move away from crime.
"Your family love you ... they are prepared to go above and beyond to give you the opportunity of a respectable life in the community. You should be enormously grateful," he said.
Judge Dearden said Rae would not be under court supervision when released and had to take full responsibility for leading a drug and crime-free life.
Rae was sentenced to three years and three months' imprisonment, with immediate release due to time already served.
