Damien Norman Estreich in court for serious assault of his mother

A turf layer launched a brutal attack on his 67-year-old mother when she tried to help him, forcing her to call triple-0 to say she was being ‘bashed by her son’.

Maryborough Court House.Photo: Valerie Horton/ Fraser Coast Chronicle.

A son punched his mother in the face while she was driving him to the chemist before picking up a pen and threatening to use it to stab her, a court has heard.

Damien Norman Estreich, 34, pleaded guilty to serious assault of a person over 60 when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court via video link on Monday.

Police prosecutor Balam Selvadurai said on July 5, 2025, Estreich’s mother had called triple-0 and said she was “being bashed by her son”.

Sgt Selvadurai said she was punched by her son while they were driving and a pen had also been used to threaten her.

Duty lawyer Morgan Harris said his client had been on his way to collect medications to treat his mental health at the time of the incident.

Estreich was diagnosed with ADHD, a form of autism, anxiety and depression, Mr Harris said.

Since being medicated, his mental health had stabilised Mr Harris said, along with his behaviour.

During his time in custody, Estreich had been exploring other treatment options and had put his name down for a number of courses, Mr Harris said.

Prior to being in custody, he had been working in turf laying and was receiving the disability support pension.

Estreich was a father to two children, and had spent 16 days in pre-sentence custody, the court heard.

He had previously been a heavy meth user, using the drug to self-medicate because of his mental health struggles.

Magistrate John Milburn said Estreich’s mother had been trying to help him on the day of the incident by taking him to the chemist to get medication.

He had been in the passenger seat when his mother asked him if he was using drugs, Mr Milburn said.

Estreich responded aggressively, swearing at his mother then elbowing her in the chest before punching her in the left side of the head and the upper arm.

“She was understandably in shock,” he said.

Estreich had then picked up a pen from the centre console of the car and gripped it, threatening to stab her with it.

She had then called triple-0, the court heard.

Mr Milburn said the woman was 67 years old when the assault occurred.

Estreich was given a head sentence of 12 months in prison, to be released on parole on November 5, 2025.