Jennsen Maxwell McEwen in court for choking

A woman could not swallow food properly for a month after a methed-up man violently choked her during a stay at the charity house in South Brisbane while her child was in hospital.

Jennsen Maxwell McEwen was sentenced in Gympie District Court on February 9, 2023.

A woman could not swallow food properly for a month after a man violently choked her during a stay at the Ronald McDonald House in South Brisbane while her child was in hospital.

Jennsen Maxwell McEwen, 24, pleaded guilty on Thursday, February 9 in the Gympie District Court to two counts of choking.

The court heard McEwen was under the influence of alcohol and meth at the time of the offence in September, 2021.

Crown prosecutor Michael Andronicus told the court McEwen snuck up behind the woman and put his forearm around her throat six times, applying pressure and restricting her breathing.

Jennsen Maxwell McEwen returned to jail until his release on parole in May, 2023.

The woman fought back, elbowing McEwen in the ribs until he was briefly knocked out.

When he woke up, McEwen put her in a chokehold and squeezed, the court heard.

McEwen stopped his attack when she began wrestling against his grip.

The victim only notified police of the incident 10 months later in July 2022 and McEwen was arrested the same month.

Mr Andronicus said the victim had ongoing throat pain and lost her voice the next day; she could only eat soft foods for a month.

McEwen could not recall the event but apologised to her, the court heard.

Jennsen Maxwell McEwen leaving the Gympie District Court on February 9, 2023.

Defence barrister Simone Bain said McEwen had mental health and “serious substance abuse” issues.

He stopped taking his medication when they started making him feel better, causing his mental health to deteriorate again, it heard.

McEwen had been offered work mowing lawns on the side of a highway and would live with his mother.

Judge Glenn Cash sentenced him to two and a half years jail to be released on parole on May 28, 2023. His 196 days held in pre-sentence custody were declared as time served.