North Queensland man sentenced in Townsville District Court after strangling and assaulting mother of his child

An almost two-year-old child tried to hide behind his mother while in her arms as she was being strangled by the boy’s dad and she was unable to breathe.

North Queensland man sentenced in Townsville District Court after strangling and assaulting mother of his child. Picture: generic

A mother who just returned home from church with her young son was strangled and assaulted moments later by the father of her child, a court has been told.

The former North Queensland man who can’t be named to prevent identifying the child fronted Townsville District Court on Friday after he choked his ex while she held their almost two-year-old son in her arms.

Crown prosecutor Rana Aldas outlined that at the time of the offending, on April 23 last year, the pair were no longer in a relationship yet still lived under the same roof in regional Queensland as they shared a child together.

Ms Aldas said when the woman came home from church with their son, the 27-year-old man struck up a conversation about their shared home and suggested he only pay his half of the mortgage while the woman paid her half, but moved out.

“She said he was a d--khead and stood up, their child was playing with toys and she picked him up,” Ms Aldas described.

“He said ‘don’t take my son away from me’, and she said she was just taking him to bed.”

The crown prosecutor said the man grew agitated and ripped the screen door off its sliders, then followed her through the house, grabbed her arm and spun her around, still with their child in her arms.

“He grabbed her throat and squeezed it until she felt her vision get blurry,” Ms Aldas said.

“He continued to strangle her. Their young son started screaming and crying and he tried to climb behind his mum.

“She still had keys in her hand and punched him in the face scratching his cheek with the keys and he eventually let go.”

The court was told the man continued to follow the woman around the house grabbing around her arm which caused bruises and scratches before she contacted the police.

“(The man) spoke with police and admitted to the offending,” Ms Aldas said.

“He told them, ‘I was squeezing man, she probably has a bruise’. He also said he hadn’t had any alcohol.”

North Queensland man sentenced in Townsville District Court after strangling and assaulting mother of his child

Ms Aldas noted that the woman had since shared her forgiveness towards the man and had moved on from the situation despite still not having a relationship with him.

“A young child had to witness the ordeal, it would’ve been distressing for the woman holding their child,” the crown prosecutor explained.

“She had to fight back, even when she left he pursued her.”

Defence barrister Ross Malcomson instructed by Strategic Lawyers explained the man who now lived in New South Wales had travelled back to Townsville to be sentenced despite knowing there was a high chance he would spend actual time behind bars.

“He’s here to face the music, and has shown insight into his offending,” Mr Malcomson said.

The defence submitted a psychologist report, a letter from the man’s current employer and a letter from his father to the court which all outlined the man had accepted his wrong doing.

Judge Jennifer Rosengren noted the man had a friend sitting in the back of court in support of him, and highlighted the support he had within the community before she reflected on the offending.

“She had a right to feel safe in her own home,” Her Honour said.

The man sighed heavily when the judge re-read the facts, and was visibly upset.

“One of the big things for young men.. is this inability to respond appropriately emotionally when there is anger and frustration and I hope like anything that your counselling has put you on the right path,” Judge Rosengren said.

“I just hope you never get seen in a courtroom again.”

The man pleaded guilty to strangulation and assault occasioning bodily harm.

He was sentenced to two years’ jail, wholly suspended for three years.

Originally published as North Queensland man sentenced in Townsville District Court after strangling and assaulting mother of his child