Phillip Dixon: Man shot in hand by police in Craigie gel-blaster stand-off to remain in hospital for months

A man shot in the hand by police in Perth’s north after allegedly pointing a gel blaster at them is expected to remain under guard in hospital for months, a court has been told. Phillip Geoffrey Dixon was charged with eight weapons and drug offences after an alleged stand-off with police in Craigie on January 10, including being armed in a way that may cause fear. The 54-year-old has failed to appear in Joondalup Magistrates Court via video link several times since then and once again on Wednesday, when Magistrate Raelene Johnstone heard the wait would continue. “I believe he’s going to still be in there for another month,” a Hakea Prison officer told her. He then added: “The last email I saw stated that he was probably going to be in there for another two to three months for the procedures that he’s going to have”. The matter was adjourned until February 19. An internal police probe was launched into the shooting, which is protocol when a firearm is discharged by officers. Detectives say police were called to the Drysdale Road home about 8.10pm after a triple-0 report claiming “the property was being smashed up”. When officers arrived, they were confronted by the triple-0 caller — allegedly Mr Dixon — standing in a carport allegedly aiming a gel blaster at them. Detectives say the officers took cover behind their police car and delivered multiple verbal warnings before shots were fired. “The threat was very real,” Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Leigh McKnight, of the major crime division, told reporters. “They acted accordingly, professionally, in line with policies, procedures and their training. These officers did an outstanding job in an incredibly difficult situation.” The maximum penalty for possessing a gel blaster is three years jail. Lifeline: 13 11 14