Hervey Bay man in court for breaching domestic violence order

Shoppers went to the woman’s aid, but she was left with contusions to her head after the bashing, which also occurred in front of the couple’s small child. Here is what the court heard:

A violent man just released from jail on parole bashed his pregnant partner at Stockland Shopping Centre while shopping with her and their small child.

The 21-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to breaching a domestic violence order when he faced the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court via video link in early June 2022.

The court heard the incident happened on May 7, when the man was seen “visibly agitated and swearing loudly” at the woman while he pushed a pram carrying their child.

As he continued to verbally abused her, the attack then became physical, the court was told, with the man striking the woman three times.

The woman was assisted by others at the shopping centre and was later treated for contusions to the base of her skull, the court heard.

The incident happened at Stockland Shopping Centre Hervey Bay.

He had been on parole for other offending at the time of the incident, the court was told.

It heard he had experienced a difficult upbringing, and received a limited education.

He had an ongoing issue with illicit substances and had been under the influence on the day he attacked his pregnant partner.

He was remorseful for his actions and was addressing his substance abuse and anger management issues while he was in custody, the court heard.

Magistrate Trinity McGarvie sentenced the man to four months in prison, declaring the 34 days he had spent in presentence custody as time served.

He was given immediate parole eligibility and a conviction was recorded.