Keegan James Sheehan, 20, sentenced in Dalby District Court for attack on ex-partner

A Dalby man was caught with his hands around his girlfriend’s neck after she refused to let him take her car to do burnouts at the funeral of two crash victims.

Keegan James Sheehan was sentenced in Dalby District Court 2022 for common assault. Picture: Facebook

The aftermath of a horrific car crash that took the lives of two Western Downs men has continued as their friend fronted court again, this time for assaulting his ex after she refused to give him her car keys to do burnouts at the crash victims’ funeral.

Keegan James Sheehan faced Dalby District Court after he was busted by police with his hands around his ex-girlfriend’s throat on May 2.

Crown prosecutor Stephen Muir said the offence fell “just short” of a choking offence as the 20-year-old didn’t cut off the woman’s breathing.

The court was told the man’s ex had refused to give him her car keys after he asked if he could take her car to do “skids” at the funeral of two friends who had been killed in a car crash on the D’Aguilar Highway earlier this year.

Sheehan was sentenced earlier this year for doing the burnouts at the funeral, and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and disqualified from driving for two years.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren pointed out the interesting way in which the man wanted to mourn his friends.

“What an extraordinary way to mark the funeral of friends that were killed in a car accident,” he said.

Defence barrister Frank Martin said his client made full admissions to the assault, however Judge Horneman-Wren interjected by saying police arrived during the attack to witness it.

“Police arrived to find you had grabbed her around the throat and pushed her against the fridge while her two young children were present,” Judge Horneman-Wren said.

“If you found it in yourself as a (then 19-year-old) to put your hands around the throat of a woman, you have some serious concerns to think about.”

Sheehan pleaded guilty to one count of common assault and was sentenced to two years and six months probation.