Bradley John Hannah sentenced in Ipswich District Court for brutal choking attacks on ex-wife

A man who slammed his wife’s head into a car dashboard 10 times before choking her claims he had a “difficult” time in prison and was bashed while awaiting sentencing.

Unable to deal with the breakdown of his marriage, a man flew into a rage and slammed his wife’s head into a car dashboard about 10 times before threatening to kill her.

Bradley John Hannah and his wife had separated in September 2019, months before the brutal attack in March 2020.

Hannah, 48, had convinced the woman to get in his car under the guise of driving her to work on March 16, but he instead drove to Mount Crosby.

The court heard Hannah pushed the woman’s head into the dashboard about ten times during the trip, and once into the passenger side window.

When they parked and got out of the car Hannah said “Today is the day you’re going to die” to the woman.

Hannah said he would let her go if she agreed not to call the police and she agreed.

He punched her in the stomach and she fell to the ground winded, before Hannah grabbed her around the throat squeezing until she could not breathe.

Hannah released his grip and drove her home.

Months later, in August, Hannah arrived at the woman’s home at 7.30am and entered her bedroom where she was sleeping.

He again grabbed her by the throat and squeezed before letting go.

He then choked her for a second time.

The woman called Hannah a “crazy, monster, devil” and he put her in a headlock.

She managed to call Triple 0 with Hannah’s phone.

The operator heard a voice saying “I’ll choke you” before the call was terminated.

Police arrived and found the woman with redness on her neck and scratch marks Hannah’s arm.

He was instructed to leave her home.

Hannah pleaded guilty on Wednesday in the Ipswich District Court to 10 offences including two counts of choking – domestic violence offence and one of common assault – domestic violence offence.

The court heard Hannah’s offending stemmed from his “inability” to cope with the breakdown of his marriage.

Defence barrister James Godbolt said Hannah had had a “particularly” difficult time in presentence custody.

He said Hannah had been bashed by his cellmate in one prison, and then assaulted by inmates while in the kitchen area of a different correctional centre.

The court heard Hannah had served 421 days in presentence custody which were declarable as time served.

Mr Godbolt said Hannah had an “excellent work history” and would be working with his sister upon his release.

Judge Dennis Lynch gave Hannah a head sentence of three years.

He declared his time served and ordered Hannah’s immediate release to parole.

“But this case is not over,” he said to Hannah.

“The future remains in your hands.

“I hope you now realise how disgraceful your behaviour was, it was very dangerous and it could have resulted in her death.

“She clearly thought she was going to die.”