Christopher William Mortensen: Springfield Lakes dad sentenced for assaulting sister

A Springfield Lakes man who assaulted his sister for the second time told his lawyer he did so because she disturbed him when he was “tired”, a court has heard.

An Ipswich man who once chased his sister with a box cutting knife before punching her in the jaw has returned to court on fresh charges after assaulting her once again.

Christopher William Mortensen, 27, of Springfield Lakes appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court via video-link on Friday May 20 where he pleaded guilty to one count of common assault.

The court heard the charge related to an incident which occurred on Monday May 16, when he returned home from work and a “heated” conversation between him and his 32-year-old sister ensued.

Mortensen assaulted his sister in what police prosecutor Sergeant Nick Turnbull described as a “cowardly attack”.

Sgt Turnbull said the offending followed a similar incident in 2017, when Mortensen pulled out a box cutting knife on his sister and shouted “I’m going to stab her”.

The court heard he chased her into the front yard and punched her in the jaw, causing her to fall to the ground.

Sgt Turnbull said the 2017 common assault offence was relevant and aggravating, especially considering the new offences were against the same woman.

Defence lawyer Matthew Fairclough said his client’s only explanation for the attack was that he was “tired” after a long day at work when his sister began speaking with him.

Mr Fairclough said Mortensen acknowledged he “lashed out” and said he regretted his behaviour, as his early plea of guilty indicated.

The court heard the 27-year-old works full time at a Carole Park sheet metal fabrication company and has two children.

Magistrate Andy Cridland said he accepted Mortensen’s plea of guilty was “very early” when deciding an appropriate penalty, though his criminal history “doesn’t do [him] any favours”.

The Springfield Lakes dad was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, but the term was wholly suspended for a period of 18 months.

Mr Cridland declared the three days he spent in presentence custody time served.

A conviction was recorded.