Domestic violence: Woman gets jail sentence in Gladstone court

A woman working as a cleaner in the Gladstone region was charged after police found her and her ex-partner in a car together when there was a no contact order in place.

A woman has been given a jail sentence in Gladstone Magistrates Court for repeat domestic violence offending.

A Gladstone region woman with a “substantial” history of domestic violence breaches has been given a jail sentence for her latest offending.

The woman, who by law cannot be named, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on April 24 to contravening a domestic violence order (aggravated offence).

The court heard the order in place contained conditions which prevented the woman from approaching or contacting her aggrieved ex-partner, with some exceptions relating to their children.

It was told the woman’s offending happened in the Gladstone region.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Griffiths said that at 9pm on April 8, police found the woman and the aggrieved man in a car together and there were no children present.

Sgt Griffiths said when being questioned by police, the woman got angry at them and yelled “non specific” insults.

She was subsequently arrested, taken to a police watch-house and charged.

The court heard the woman had numerous previous domestic violence offences on her history over a number of years.

It was told that in August 2022, the woman was convicted in Gladstone Magistrates Court of 13 domestic violence order breaches, and she was placed on 12 months’ probation.

Sgt Griffiths said despite being afforded the opportunity of probation, the woman had shown a “blatant disregard” for the court order.

“She again continues to have contact with the aggrieved, despite the order prohibiting it, especially when it’s not in relation to the children,” Sgt Griffiths said.

Sgt Griffiths said because the woman had “a substantial” number of domestic violence breaches on her history, a period of imprisonment was within range.

Solicitor Rio Ramos said there was no allegation that violence had occurred during this incident.

Ms Ramos said the couple was no longer in a relationship and the woman was working as a cleaner.

Acting Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced the woman to one month jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of 12 months.

A conviction was recorded.