Central Qld mine worker notches 34th domestic violence conviction

A mine worker who notched up his 34th domestic violence conviction has been described by a magistrate as having a “blatant disregard” for court orders.

A Central Queensland mine worker has notched his 34th domestic violence offence. Generic image.

A Central Queensland mine worker has been convicted of his 34th domestic violence offence, with a magistrate saying he has a “blatant disregard” for court orders.

The 34-year-old man, who by law cannot be named, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court on September 27 where he pleaded guilty to contravening a domestic violence order (aggravated offence).

The court heard the man’s latest offending happened when he attended the aggrieved woman’s residence at 3.30am when he was prohibited from doing so on August 14 in the Gladstone region.

At the time, he was on a suspended sentence.

The man banged on the woman’s bedroom window and she told him to leave.

He refused and tried to pull a fly screen from the bedroom window.

“He started banging his head on the brick wall - this went on for some time,” police prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said.

The prosecutor said the man “raved” about being let inside, yelled, and would not leave, saying he wanted “to get back with” the aggrieved.

“The aggrieved said she was too fearful to call police as she was worried that he (defendant) would hear this, and get angry and force his way inside,” Sgt Ongheen said.

Gladstone Courthouse.

The man, who had a six-page criminal history which included 33 previous domestic violence offences, had spent 44 days in pre-sentence custody prior to his plea on Wednesday.

Solicitor Bianca Wieland said the man had a “strong work history” and had been employed in the mines in Central Queensland prior to his incarceration.

She said he planned to move away from the Gladstone region upon his release from prison and reside in Far North Queensland.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan asked Ms Wieland if her client accepted the relationship with the aggrieved was over.

The man himself responded, “yes I do, your honour”.

Before sentencing, Ms Buchanan told the man he was coming back before the court for similar DV offending “time and time again” and he had a “blatant disregard” for court orders.

Ms Buchanan sentenced the man to six months’ jail, and declared 44 days in pre-sentence custody as time already served.

She also activated the suspended sentence which put two months’ jail on top of the head sentence.

Ms Buchanan fixed the man’s parole release date to September 27, 2023.

A conviction was recorded.