Lancet Jades
03-03-2004, 12:07 AM
'Lottery revenge' leads to charge
By Ainsley Pavey
March 2, 2004
A 76-year-old man will face trial for attempting to murder a Brisbane couple in a revenge attack for being cheated out of a lottery win more than 16 years ago.
Milan Laus is accused of throwing two Molotov cocktails and trying to fire rounds from an SKS military assault rifle at the couple's inner suburban Red Hill home where he once lived with a man he claimed cheated him out of $2.5 million.
The Slovenian immigrant opened fire on Andrew and Sonya Clay after the couple awoke to the sound of dogs barking outside their two-story home at 5.15am on August 18 last year.
Brisbane's Magistrates Court heard today police allege Laus – who lived in a nearby unit – tried to shoot Mr Clay who confronted the gun-wielding intruder from the verandah of the house.
Laus allegedly tried to fire a shot from the gun but it failed to go off so he continued to pump the trigger. He then allegedly hurled two crude bombs he crafted from bottles and sparklers.
Magistrate Bill McKay ordered Laus to stand trial in Brisbane's Supreme Court.
He faces two charges of attempted murder and one each of attempted arson, going armed to cause fear, possessing a weapon and making explosives. Laus was not required to enter a plea and was remanded in custody to await the trial.
By Ainsley Pavey
March 2, 2004
A 76-year-old man will face trial for attempting to murder a Brisbane couple in a revenge attack for being cheated out of a lottery win more than 16 years ago.
Milan Laus is accused of throwing two Molotov cocktails and trying to fire rounds from an SKS military assault rifle at the couple's inner suburban Red Hill home where he once lived with a man he claimed cheated him out of $2.5 million.
The Slovenian immigrant opened fire on Andrew and Sonya Clay after the couple awoke to the sound of dogs barking outside their two-story home at 5.15am on August 18 last year.
Brisbane's Magistrates Court heard today police allege Laus – who lived in a nearby unit – tried to shoot Mr Clay who confronted the gun-wielding intruder from the verandah of the house.
Laus allegedly tried to fire a shot from the gun but it failed to go off so he continued to pump the trigger. He then allegedly hurled two crude bombs he crafted from bottles and sparklers.
Magistrate Bill McKay ordered Laus to stand trial in Brisbane's Supreme Court.
He faces two charges of attempted murder and one each of attempted arson, going armed to cause fear, possessing a weapon and making explosives. Laus was not required to enter a plea and was remanded in custody to await the trial.