Gene Buckley: Booval man accused of strangling, punching woman after grocery row

A North Booval man accused of grabbing his partner by the neck and punching her in the head following an argument about groceries is now looking to fight the allegations in district court.

A North Booval man accused of grabbing his partner by the neck and punching her in the head following an argument about groceries is now looking to fight the allegations in district court.

Gene Robert Charles Buckley, 36, applied for bail and was denied in district court at Beenleigh on Wednesday.

He faces domestic violence charges including one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and two counts of choking, suffocating, strangulation offences.

The court heard police will allege that Buckley grabbed his partner’s neck with his right hand squeezed for about 10 seconds during an argument about groceries at her home in Woodridge about 7.30am on November 7, 2020.

Gene Robert Charles Buckley

The complainant’s 20-year-old son allegedly intervened and told Buckley to take his hands of his mother, he did and then police were called.

Judge Craig Chowdhury said there was another alleged altercation sometime later that afternoon when Buckley came back to her house and there was another argument.

“He grabbed the complainant’s throat with his right hand, she almost fell over and he also punched the complainant in the chin.”

The complainant is alleged to have suffered a sore and swollen neck and bruising in the days after the offending.

The court heard that Buckley denied the allegations and the complainant has now stated that there was no strangulation.

Buckley’s lawyer said they also intended to dispute the eyewitness account of her 20-year-old son.

Judge Chowdhury said it would be problematic for the prosecution in terms of her credibility during a trial if the complainant were to maintain that position.

“It is well known in domestic violence cases particularly when there has been a longstanding relationship between the parties that an alleged victim has mixed feelings towards a defendant and may have a change of heart about proceeding with allegations,” he said.

The court heard Buckley had a history of failing to appear on three separate occasions and had been on remand for nine months since his arrest on January 18, 2021.

Judge Chowdhury denied his bail application due to a failure to show that granting bail would reduce the risk of failing to appear, making further offences or interfering with witnesses.

His matters were adjourned for mention on October 27. 

If you need help, contact National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.