Cairns crime: Raymond Evan Coleman sentenced for spear attack on woman

A man who speared a woman in a remote Far North community was sentenced in Cairns District Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to unlawful wounding.

A man who speared a woman in a remote Far North community was sentenced in Cairns District Court on Thursday.

A man who speared a woman in a remote Far North community was sentenced in Cairns District Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to unlawful wounding.

Prosecutor David Jenkins told the court Raymond Evan Coleman, 25, got into an argument with a 40-year-old woman and her partner and the house where she lived at Pormpuraaw on November 12, 2021.

The argument continued outside and Coleman appeared brandishing a spear, which he threw at the woman standing 5m away.

Mr Jenkins said the woman raised her left arm to protect herself and was wounded in the armpit, requiring a night in hospital.

He said Coleman declined an interview with police.

An aerial view of Pormpuraaw in Cape York. Picture: Chris Calcino

Judge William Everson said Coleman had a concerning criminal history revolving around alcohol and violence.

“Of particular significance, you were sentenced on June 12, 2023, for assault and contravening a domestic violence order and you received a head sentence of 12 months with parole eligibility in October 2023,” Judge Everson said.

“You have a nasty temper and a propensity to be violent.

“Arming yourself with a spear and throwing it at the victim could have had tragic consequences,” he said.

Judge Everson sentenced Coleman to 12-months’ imprisonment to be served cumulatively with his earlier sentence, and a parole eligibility date of February 2, 2024.

Originally published as Cairns crime: Raymond Evan Coleman sentenced for spear attack on woman