Harley Keith George Groves sentenced for deprivation of liberty, assault, choking
A woman’s horrific experiences at the hands of an ex Gympie chef have been outlined in a Gympie court, as he was sentenced to jail for 13 brutal crimes committed near Rainbow Beach. Read the full story:
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A 25-year-old former chef convicted of a spate of violent offences including deprivation of liberty and choking was jailed by a Gympie court on Friday.
Harley Keith George Groves appeared in Gympie District Court via video link and pleaded guilty to 13 charges, including deprivation of liberty, assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault.
He was supported by three people in the public gallery.
Groves periodically looked down at the table in front of him and shook his head while the facts of his violent crimes were read to the court.
The court heard Groves had assaulted a woman multiple times over several days in June 2021.
The violence escalated when he drove her to Toolara State Forest, north east of Gympie, and told her to lay on her stomach while he tied her arms and legs.
Crown prosecutor Zachary Kaplan said when the woman tried to break free, Groves became enraged and insinuated to her that she was going to die.
He then left her tied up in the forestry, returning some time later to untie her and force her to walk beside the car he was driving while he screamed at her to walk faster.
On a separate date, Groves punched the woman in the face after she brought him a slice of pizza, then drove her back out to the Toolara Forest, the court heard.
When she tried to escape his car, he put her into a headlock and strangled her.
After Groves dropped the woman back at her house some time later, she called 000.
He was arrested on June 10, 2021, denied bail in Gympie Magistrates Court and has been in jail ever since.
The court heard when questioned by police, Groves claimed the victim was jealous and had made a false accusation.
Defence barrister Mark Dixon said his client was heavy methamphetamine, and his escalating violence was a result of the drug.
He said despite the serious nature of the offending, the victim did not sustain significant physical injuries and there was no suggestion she ever lost consciousness when she was choked.
He said Groves had abstained from drugs while in jail and had plans to live in Tasmania when he was released.
He had spent 176 days in pre-sentence custody.
Chief Judge Brian Devereaux described Groves’ actions as “demeaning and violent”.
He was sentenced to 18 months jail, and ordered to serve a third of that time, with the remainder of his sentence to be suspended for three years.
His time in pre-sentence custody was declared time served by Judge Devereaux, and Groves will only spend a further three months behind bars.
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