Gesa Henry Dau: Angry Ipswich dad’s $4000 damage headache

A “hopeless” dad-of-six’s bad-tempered birthday bash saw him arrested four times on one charge. Find out why.

Goodna Marketplace. Picture: Real Commercial

A Springfield father was arrested four times in the past two years over his “hopeless” ability to remember to attend court.

Gesa Henry Dau was charged with wilful damage after an argument with his wife led him to cause more than $4000 in damage to a roller door at Goodna Marketplace.

Dau was out celebrating his birthday on November 5, 2020, when the pair began arguing and he stormed off.

He was captured on CCTV kicking the door 14 times at about 7pm, breaking it off its hinges and injuring his foot in the process.

The father-of-six was arrested the following month, telling police he was “drunk and angry” at the time.

Dau appeared before the Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to the damage and three counts of breaching his bail conditions.

Prosecutor Brad Dick told the court Dau repeatedly failed to attend court and was arrested and held in custody in July and November 2021 and July this year.

Defence lawyer Michael Corbin said his client failed to appear in court because he was “busy” with his kids and work.

“His family life is now really good and he’s reduced his drinking,” he said.

“Whilst we can applaud his desire to provide for his family, Mr Dau acknowledges he should have taken court more seriously.”

He was ordered to repay $4,100 in damage to the centre and sentenced to a 28-day prison stint suspended for six months by Magistrate Dennis Kinsella.

“In an effort to stop you committing these types of offences you’ve now got 28-days hanging over your head,” he said.