Gladstone man punches woman in head, avoids jail sentence

A Gladstone man has avoided a jail sentence after he punched a woman in the head, with the violent attack being witnessed by members of the public.

A Gladstone court has heard about a shocking case of domestic violence where a woman was punched in the head in public. Generic Picture: istock

A repeat Gladstone domestic violence offender punched his partner in the head, with members of the public witnessing the attack.

The 23-year-old man, who by law cannot be named, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on September 19 to two counts of contravening a domestic violence order (aggravated offences).

The court heard the first incident happened on July 31, about 5.30pm, while the couple was walking towards an intersection.

After an argument, the man chased the woman and pushed her with an open palm, causing her to fall to the ground.

Gladstone Courthouse.

During the second incident, which was witnessed by members of the public, the couple got into an argument before the man punched the woman in the head.

The court heard the woman then retaliated and punched the man “multiple times” to the head.

It was told the man had a one-page criminal history with previous domestic violence offending on it.

In terms of penalty, the prosecution said a suspended sentence was within range but the man’s solicitor Bianca Wieland submitted the court should focus on rehabilitation and consider probation.

Ms Wieland noted the aggrieved was in court in support of the man.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan placed the man on 12 months’ probation and a conviction was recorded.