Cairns crime: Gausa Aziel Barkley sentenced in Cairns District Court on seven DV charges

Prisoners at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre are unable to access courses aimed at rehabilitation and life skills, Cairns District Court heard.

WAITING lists and restrictive policies preventing those incarcerated at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre from doing courses to mend their ways came under fire in Cairns District Court.

Sentencing Gausa Aziel Barkley on seven domestic violence-related offences, Judge Paul Smith said it was of concern that Barkley had spent 305 days in prison but had been unable to participate in anger management and other courses.

Barkley’s barrister Tim Grau told the court such courses were not available to inmates on remand – only those who had received a sentence.

He said the Covid lockdown at Lotus Glen had prevented inmates from doing courses and now there was a waiting list.

“Prisoners on remand don’t get to do courses until sentenced, he wants to do drug and alcohol courses and Straight Talk but it was not available, it is quite unsatisfactory,” Mr Grau said.

Judge Smith responded: “It’s really a waste of time sitting there doing nothing when he could be rehabilitated”.

“It is of concern to me that you have been there 305 days and done no courses, it would have been very useful to do domestic violence and anger management courses,” he said.

Gausa Aziel Barkley, 23, faced one charge of choking, two charges of common assault and four counts of contravening a domestic violence order.

Barkley, 23, faced one charge of choking, two charges of common assault and four counts of contravening a domestic violence order.

The court heard he remained in a relationship with the complainant, who was in court with the couple’s 18-month-old son.

Prosecutor Matthew Hancock said after being choked, the complainant was in such pain she felt like a recent C-section had ripped open.

Mr Grau said Barkley accepted his behaviour was inappropriate.

“Well, it’s criminal,” Judge Smith retorted.

“If you don’t do anything about anger management and domestic violence, the penalties will get longer and longer, so think about that during an argument and walk outside, don’t punch her,” he said.

The court heard Barkley had threatened to stab the complainant, put her in a headlock and squeezed her throat until she almost passed out, told her to “shut the f*** up” and while standing over her, punched her.

Barkley received a suspended sentence of two and a half years with strict orders to undergo counselling and probation orders of two years.

Originally published as Cairns crime: Gausa Aziel Barkley sentenced in Cairns District Court on seven DV charges