Kyle William Castle: Meth-addled man avoids immediate jail for ‘petrifying’ Albany school lockdown

An Albany man who sent a “petrified” school into lockdown after he yelled “don’t worry, I won’t shoot you, this isn’t America” while high on meth, has avoided jail. Kyle William Castle appeared in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday on charges of trespassing and obstructing public officers, having pleaded guilty to the charges on January 16. The 31-year-old was walking his dog near St Joseph’s College Albany while under the influence of methamphetamine on November 27, 2024, when his dog slipped its leash and ran towards the school’s carpark. Castle ran after his dog and entered the school, bashing on the windows of the early learning centre and entering a classroom of Year 5s. He yelled, “don’t worry I won’t shoot you, this isn’t America”, terrifying students and forcing the school into a lockdown. He then slapped a staff member in the face and ran at students and staff before police arrested him. On December 12, police attended his Spencer Park home and had to take him to the ground to apprehend him after he tried to resist arrest. Once handcuffed, Castle calmed down and apologised, telling police he was under the influence of methamphetamine and needed help. Castle’s Legal Aid defence lawyer Jamie Archer said his client disputed running at children and staff, saying he ran towards the exit, but agreed with all other facts despite having a limited recollection due to the methamphetamine. Mr Archer said Castle was anxious when his dog slipped its leash and felt terrible for the possible trauma caused to children at the school. He said his client resisted arrest in December because he was afraid of having pressure applied to his wrists and was anxious about his dog escaping from his house. Mr Archer asked for a community-based order for his client, saying Castle was 11 days clean and motivated to stay that way to re-establish contact with his son. Prosecutor Sgt Dylan Fisher said trying to find a similar offence was “almost impossible”, describing the trespass as a “unique” and “serious” incident. He said children have a right to be safe at school and parents send them there assuming they will be safe. “If there was ever a trespass that would warrant imprisonment, this would be it,” Sgt Fisher said. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell said the “prolonged” and “serious” incident would have terrified staff and students. “Saying ‘don’t worry, I won’t shoot you’ would not have been reassuring to the children,” she said. “Anything about shooting anyone would have been petrifying to people. “It would have petrified people to have you there in this state of lack of control.” She said he was “fortunate” he was not charged with assault for slapping a staff member. However, Ms O’Donnell took into account Castle’s plea of guilty, and his completion of the Alcohol and Other Drug Diversion Program, despite continuing to use methamphetamine during it. Castle was given a 10-month jail term, suspended for 10 months.