Police find serial Central Qld DV offender ‘hiding in the closet’

Police responded under a “priority code” to a Central Queensland residence where there was “lots of yelling and screaming” but once there, the job took a twist.

A serial domestic violence offender tried to hide from police in a closet. Generic image.

A serial domestic violence offender who tried to hide from Central Queensland police in a closet has faced court.

The 25-year-old, who by law cannot be named, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court on January 24 where he pleaded guilty to contravening a domestic violence order.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said at 10.38am on January 23, police responded “under a priority code” to a Gladstone home where there was “lots of yelling and screaming”.

After arriving at the residence, police found the female victim emotional and crying.

Police then searched the home to see if there was anyone else there, and in an upstairs bedroom they found the man “hiding in the closet”.

Gladstone Courthouse.

Under the DV order, the man was not allowed to approach the aggrieved woman.

The court heard that it was the man’s residence but he had offended by allowing the woman inside.

It was told that she had gone there because “she had nowhere else to go.”

The court heard the man had an eight-page criminal history which included an “extensive DV history.”

Solicitor Cam Schroder said the man knew he had done the wrong thing, but there was an element of chivalry to what he had done.

Prior to sentencing, Magistrate Mary Buchanan noted the man had a “serious history” of contravening domestic violence orders including stalking.

She sentenced him to two months’ jail, wholly suspended for 12 months.

A conviction was recorded.