Drunk Man in Brick and Gun Rampage

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 37-year-old Umwinsdale man appeared in court facing charges of assault, malicious damage to property, and failure to secure firearms after a violent, alcohol-fueled rampage against his neighbour.

Ross Terence Leaper appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing three charges.

The State told the court that around midnight on August 20, Leaper, visibly drunk, went to his neighbor Ashleigh Smith’s house, located in the same complex.

He allegedly began shouting and demanding to be allowed inside, but Smith refused him entry.

During the incident, Smith’s daughter, Demi Lee Du Rand, called her father, John Du Rand, the complainant, alerting him to Leaper’s actions.

When Du Rand arrived, he found Leaper shirtless, holding a brick, and demanding entry. Together with his friend Brandon Wood, Du Rand tried to stop him, but Leaper allegedly forced his way in and struck Du Rand once on the right hand and once on the left eye with the brick.

The complainant and Wood managed to subdue Leaper and called J and P Security, who handcuffed him and took him to ZRP Borrowdale to report the matter.

However, the court heard that at around 1am, Leaper escaped and returned to his house. When police and the security team followed, they found him in his kitchen trying to cut the handcuffs off with a grinder.

On seeing them, Leaper allegedly became violent, retreated to his bedroom, and emerged with a firearm, charging at the officers and security personnel.

Fearing for their lives, they fled, leaving behind a Mahindra vehicle belonging to J and P Security.

Leaper then allegedly opened fire, discharging multiple rounds at the vehicle, hitting the bonnet, windscreen, windows, and rear screen.

The State further alleges that around 3am the same day, Leaper was found in possession of several firearms, including a .22 LR Brno rifle, a 12-bore shotgun, a Winchester rifle, a Ruger rifle, a CZ pistol, a Webley air gun, and a Gamo air rifle, which he had failed to secure properly.

Instead of being locked in a gun cabinet, the weapons were kept under his bed.