Maryborough man pleads guilty to breaching domestic violence order

A magistrate has warned a son he has “one last chance” to stay out of trouble after his seventh breach of a domestic violence order ended in his wheelchair-bound dad lying on the street.

A son’s ongoing abuse towards his father has been exposed in Maryborough Magistrates Court, with a man narrowly avoiding jail for his seventh time breach of a domestic violence order.

The man, 35, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to breaching a domestic violence order and contravening a noise abatement direction when he faced court on Monday.

The court heard the man’s latest breach stemmed from an incident when he verbally abused his 72-year-old father in Maryborough.

At the time he was caring for and living with his dad.

The two were at home together when he began “carrying on like a maniac” the court heard.

During his son’s tirade, the elderly man left the home, but fell over while he tried to go to a neighbour’s place.

Neighbours came to help him and his wheelchair was brought over to him, but his son did not help him off the ground, the court was told.

Instead his son approached the man and the neighbours who were assisting him and again became verbally abusive.

The court heard the man was a full-time carer for his father.

The court heard the man was a full-time carer for his elderly father.

Then in May, police attended the man’s home after being called to the scene due to loud music being played.

The man opened the door, verbally abused the police, then went back inside and turned the music up again, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Morgan Harris said his client had ongoing issues with the abuse of alcohol and anger management.

He had engaged with Bridges and was completing a Men Choosing Change course.

His mother was supporting him in court.

Acting Magistrate Graham Hillan said the man had previously breached the order last year which involved actual violence, including choking and other offending behaviour.

He said since 2016, the man had breached the domestic violence order seven times and intoxication was “no excuse”.

Magistrate Hillan said the court took a dim view of those who failed to comply with court orders.

The man was sentenced to eight months in prison, with immediate release on parole.

He was also fined $600 for contravening the noise abatement requirement.

Convictions were recorded.

“One would hope you don’t appear again,” Magistrate Hillan said.

“I’m going to give you this one last chance.”