Man sentenced to prison for being ‘intoxicated’ around ex

The man kicked down his partner’s front door before fleeing on foot from police.

Townsville court generic arrest magistrates court

AFTER drunkenly kicking down the front door of his former partner's house, a 41-year-old Tara man fled on foot from police and hid in his neighbour's bathroom, Dalby Magistrates Court has heard.

According to police prosecutor Senior Constable Jodie Tahana, police were called by the defendant's neighbours at 9.50pm on August 26 after a male was heard yelling in an aggressive tone.

Police arrived to the address to find the defendant heavily intoxicated and "belligerent".

He told police he had consumed half a litre of port and a six pack of VB.

At the time, the defendant was the respondent in a domestic violence order that dictated he could not be around the aggrieved, his former partner, with a BAC higher than 0.05.

A breath test revealed his BAC was 0.198, putting him in breach of his domestic violence order.

On September 24, police were called to the same address over a "disturbance" at 8.40pm. The aggrieved told police the defendant had been at the address "intoxicated and abusive".

While police were searching the house, they found drug paraphernalia, including two water pipes and a plastic container and a cigarette containing 4.8 grams of marijuana.

At 9.50pm, the aggrieved was woken to a loud bang at the door. She rose to find the defendant arrived back at her home and had kicked down the door. The defendant fled on foot away from the address.

Police located the defendant shortly after, hiding in the bathroom at their neighbour's place.

On October 6, police attended the address again, and located 11 small marijuana plants.

The defendant told police he had planted the seeds and intended to smoke the marijuana.

Duty lawyer Claire Graham told the court the defendant, 41, had been in a relationship with the aggrieved for four years.

Since the incidents, he had no contact with her and had tried to "cut down" his alcohol use.

The defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of contravening a domestic violence order as an aggravated offence, possessing utensils or pipes for use, possessing dangerous drugs and producing dangerous drugs.

Magistrate Tracy Mossop sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment wholly suspended for 12 months.

Convictions were recorded for all offences.

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