Griffith William Davies sentenced for knife attack on housemate at Broadbeach Waters

A man who is living an “ongoing nightmare” after being slashed with a knife by his then-housemate has slammed the court system after learning his attacker could be free in a few months.

A man who was slashed by his knife-wielding housemate – leaving him with a “life-altering” injury – has labelled the court system “bulls**t” after learning his attacker could be free on parole in a few months.

Tensions had been brewing in the weeks leading up to Griffith William Davies’ assault on then-housemate Shaun Maxwell on December 28, 2022, after Davies allowed a woman to move into their Broadbeach Waters home rent-free without consulting the other man.

Southport District Court was told Davies got home less than an hour after sending messages to his housemate calling him a “dog”, “liar” and telling him to get out or it would “all be over”.

Davies was armed with what appeared to be a hunting knife when he found Mr Maxwell in his bedroom, speaking aggressively before lunging at him with the blade.

Crown prosecutor Ryder Reid said the knife struck above Mr Maxwell’s eye and his bicep,

with his wounds bleeding profusely as he ran from the house to find help nearby.

Mr Reid said Davies followed his victim outside and yelled that he was going to kill him.

He then returned to Mr Maxwell’s bedroom and destroyed his laptop and computer.

A heavily intoxicated Davies was soon tracked down by police, claiming Mr Maxwell had stabbed himself.

Mr Reid said a nerve in Mr Maxwell’s arm was completely severed in the unprovoked and vindictive attack, leaving him with a paralysed thumb and loss of strength and movement in his hand.

Stabbing victim Shaun Maxwell has slammed his attacker's sentence. Picture: Jessica Paul

The court was told the permanent injury had “catastrophic” effects on the builder and personal trainer’s employment and active lifestyle, devastating him financially and psychologically in what Mr Maxwell described as an “ongoing nightmare”.

It was heard Davies was on bail and a good behaviour bond at the time of the attack.

Defence barrister James Godbolt said the former Snap Fitness franchiser’s life had spiralled in a “fairly spectacular fashion” after his divorce, and that his offending was fuelled by his cocaine and alcohol abuse at the time.

Mr Godbolt said the 58-year-old was now in counselling and focused on rebuilding his life.

“The period in custody has been a very serious lesson to him, but his efforts on release show very significant insight and a desire to lead a law-abiding and useful life,” he said.

Judge Jodie Wooldridge said Mr Maxwell’s injuries were “life-altering”, but accepted Davies had taken significant strides towards rehabilitation and maintained family support.

Davies pleaded guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm and two of wilful damage.

He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ jail with parole eligibility from January 16, 2025. No restitution was ordered.

The outcome seemed less than satisfactory for Mr Maxwell, who watched the lengthy sentencing proceedings from the courtroom gallery.

“I think the system’s bulls**t,” he said.

“You’ve got a guy stabbing people while he's on a good behaviour bond, and he gets four months’ jail … good bar to set for the rest of us.”

Originally published as Griffith William Davies sentenced for knife attack on housemate at Broadbeach Waters