Jason Caruana faces court after strangling ex partner

A Bundaberg man has pleaded guilty to domestic violence offences, including strangulation and common assault, with the victim detailing the devastating toll on her.

Jason Caruana

A woman who was strangled by her former partner has told a court of the fear and anxiety his violent attack left her with.

Jason Caruana was sentenced in the Bundaberg District Court on Friday after pleading guilty to one count of common assault in a domestic violence setting and one count of strangulation, which took place on May 4, 2024.

The court heard the two had an argument, resulting in Caruana pinning her against a vehicle and strangling her, ‘leaving marks’ on her neck.

The court heard the strangling stopped when the victim struck Caruana.

The court heard the offending occurred while Caruana was already subject to a domestic violence order protecting the victim.

A committal hearing was held in November 2024, and Caruana entered an early plea of guilty.

The attack was described as a “significant escalation” of a long and abusive relationship.

In a detailed victim impact statement tendered to the court, the victim outlined years of psychological, emotional, and physical abuse, and said the violence had left lasting effects on her.

Jason Caruana

“I live in a constant state of anxiety and fear, which has made it difficult for me to engage in routine activities, maintain relationships, and perform at work,” she wrote.
”I am a victim.”

Prosecutors submitted the offence represented a serious escalation, and urged the court to impose a sentence between two and two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, citing the seriousness of strangulation as a risk factor for fatal domestic violence.
The Crown also asked the court to impose a varied protection order that included no-contact conditions between Caruana and his ex-partner — conditions which the court heard were requested by the victim herself.

In response, the defence argued Caruana had demonstrated efforts to reintegrate into society after the relationship ended in 2022.

He had secured employment, found stable housing, and maintained the support of his family, who were present in court.
His barrister told the court Caruana had engaged in a behavioural change program and had gained ‘new insight’ into his actions. 

Jason Caruana

Despite previous breaches of domestic violence orders, his legal team said he remained willing to undertake further programs if released on parole.

“He developed new insight into his behaviour … there are prospects of rehabilitation,” his defence said.

Caruana has served about 10 months in custody.
The court was told it was within the judge’s discretion to impose a parole release date as early as the day of sentencing, acknowledging the early guilty plea and time already served.

The judge was also asked to consider the long history of domestic violence and the risk to the victim when determining whether to grant the variation of the protection order.

Caruana was sentenced to 2 years and three months imprisonment with immediate parole after his pre-sentence custody serving 301 days.