Kiarno Terry Williams: Albany man avoids immediate jail time for wielding a knife outside Albany Plaza

An Albany man who threatened a man with a knife outside Albany Plaza has avoided immediate jail time, receiving an eight-month suspended prison sentence and a fine for possessing drug paraphernalia. Kiarno Terry Williams appeared in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with carrying an article with intent to cause fear that someone will be injured or disabled; endangering a person’s life, health or safety; and possessing drug paraphernalia with evidence of a prohibited drug on or in it. Witnesses head the 25-year-old yelling he was going to kill the victim outside Albany Plaza on August 30 2024 as he threatened him with a 30cm kitchen knife. Police arrested him shortly afterwards with the knife still in his possession, and found a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine in his pocket with traces of the illegal substance in it. Williams’ offences breached a suspended imprisonment order handed down in 2024 for the assault of a public officer. Defence lawyer Kyah Langdon said Williams had seen the victim at a relative’s house earlier in the day and threatened him because he suspected the victim had stolen his belongings. Ms Langdon said Williams “saw red” and overreacted, acknowledging the fear both the victim and witnesses must have felt. Ms Langdon told the court Williams had performed well in a drug and alcohol diversion program but had relapsed and was struggling with his mental health at the time of the offending. Police prosecutor Sgt Gary Simpson said he acknowledged Williams’ appreciation of the fear he caused, and said drugs were an “issue but not an excuse” for his behaviour. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell said Williams should understand the fear his actions caused the victim. “You did come at him with a knife, and said some pretty threatening things,” she said. “It would have been a very frightening episode.” Ms O’Donnell deemed it unjust for Williams to serve his suspended prison sentence, saying the report from his drug and alcohol diversion program spoke highly of his efforts and progress. She also took his mental health struggles into account. Williams was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for eight months, and was fined $800 with costs of $156 for possessing drug paraphernalia.