Hervey Bay man pleads guilty to breaching domestic violence order

Just a day after being served a notice ordering him not to contact his former partner, a Hervey Bay renderer began calling her. Now, his lawyer has told the court there was no malice in the motive.

A man who breached a domestic violence order just a day after being served with the notice by police claims his actions were due to a “misunderstanding”.

The man, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of breaching a domestic violence order when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

The police protection notice issued to the man included the condition that he not contact his former partner, the court was told.

On May 29, at 7.35am, the man was served with a copy of the notice by Hervey Bay police.

Between 8.39am and 8.52am the next day, the man attempted to call the woman several times and sent two text messages, the court was told.

On June 3, police visited the man’s home and he made admissions of sending the messages and calling to try to see his child.

On June 3, police visited the man’s home and he made admissions of sending the messages and calling to try to see his child.

Defence lawyer Daniel Olds said his client was trying to arrange a visit with his son, who was four months old.

His client thought he was still able to discuss parenting matters with his former partner, Mr Olds said.

Now the man understood that contact regarding parenting matters could only be arranged after the case went to court, which would provide a condition for communication in relation to the child.

“It was a misunderstanding by him that the no contact was in place absolute,” Mr Olds said.

“He only contacted her for the purpose of spending time with his son, there was nothing in the nature of those messages.”

Mr Olds said his client was working as a renderer.

Magistrate Trinity McGarvie said she accepted that what the man told Mr Olds was true and he had simply misunderstood the requirements of the order.

He was fined $350 and a conviction was recorded.