Domestic violence offender punched partner twice after heated argument over food

A domestic violence offender punched his partner to her head and ribs following an argument which originated over the wrongful purchase of bakery food.

A man brutally assaulted his long-term partner twice after a heated argument broke out about the purchase of food, a court heard.

The man, 26, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty in the Gladstone Magistrates Court on Friday to common assault (domestic violence offence).

On May 23, around 8am, the defendant and complainant were at home with their child when the complainant left to get breakfast.

Upon her return home, the pair had an argument regarding the complainant buying the incorrect food.

During the argument the complainant told the defendant their relationship was over.

The defendant left the house, returning sometime later and unplugging the fridge to move it.

The complainant approached the defendant and told him to leave her property alone before another argument broke out.

During this argument the defendant approached the complainant in the hallway and delivered a punch to her ribs which caused her to fall to the ground.

The complainant yelled at the defendant who walked away before turning around and walking back to the complainant who was seated on the ground.

The defendant then punched the complainant to the head once, she then called police a short time later.

The defendant’s lawyer Bianca Wieland told Magistrate Bevan Manthey her client had no criminal history and his relationship with the complainant was under extreme stress.

Mr Manthey said the state of the couple’s relationship was irrelevant in the circumstances given the brutality of the defendant’s offending.

“I have a big problem with domestic violence in this region and my sentence has to send a message that it is not accepted,” he said.

“Any man who hits a woman can no longer call themselves a man.”

The defendant was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 12 months after serving one month. A conviction was recorded.