Duane Andrew Cleary punches loyal dog attempting to rescue owner from “wicked” assault

A woman whom a court heard was kept “effectively hostage” by an Ipswich man was too terrified to speak when police came to the door during a week of terror where she received so many beatings even her dog tried to save her.

An Ipswich man has faced court after punching a dog that tried to rescue its owner from a week-long “campaign of terror”.

Duane Andrew Cleary, 35, appeared in Ipswich Magistrates court on Friday (July 8) charged with animal cruelty, assault occasioning bodily harm, wilful damage, possession of dangerous drugs, and possession of drug-related utensils.

The court heard that between March 7 and March 15 in 2022, Cleary repeatedly assaulted a woman at her home.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert said Cleary “kept [the woman] effectively hostage” in that time.

He smashed her phone, punched her repeatedly in the back, was verbally abusive, and threw a heavy item at her hip.

The woman’s victim impact statement recalled Cleary punching through the bedroom door to get to her when she tried to hide from him.

He later headbutted her and continued to pummel her, and the woman’s statement said she believed she was knocked out.

The statement further recalled waking up on her back to Cleary repeatedly punching her in the face, and stomping on her ribs.

The woman’s dog attempted to rescue her by biting the man, and he repeatedly punched it in the head.

The woman’s statement recalled being too scared to contact police, and too scared to speak to them when they came to the house on the March 11.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jo Colston read out her statement in court, quoting “I’m really scared that Duane is going to kill me whether he’s on drugs or not”.

“He’s a very scary person, very violent – gets angry at the drop of a hat.”

The statement further said she was too scared to go upstairs and that she had found a knife beside the bed.

On March 12 in Raceview, Cleary was further charged for possession of 4.1 grams of methamphetamine and several drug related utensils.

In court, Cleary appeared via video link and pleaded guilty to all charges.

Sergeant Colston said Cleary’s actions “could only be described as a campaign of terror.”

Magistrate Kahlert said it was “gross and violent offending.”

Cleary told Magistrate Kahlert that he had stuffed up.

“You didn’t just stuff up. It’s cruel and wicked what you did to her,” said Magistrate Kahlert.

Cleary’s lawyer Kevin Rose tendered a hand written letter of apology that Cleary had asked to be passed on to his victim.

Cleary has further completed a drug course while in prison.

Mr Rose said Cleary “indicated remorse to his lawyers at an early opportunity.”

He said Cleary believes his use of methamphetamine over the last six to seven years was a major contributing factor to his violent actions.

Mr Rose said Cleary had further admitted he has anger management issues.

The court heard that Cleary had two children with an ex-partner, and that losing contact with them had initially contributed to him taking up drugs.

Mr Rose said Cleary ultimately intends to get clean and reunite with his children.

Magistrate Kahlert said “I am sure they would be absolutely disgusted that their father could treat another person in the way you have.”

Sergeant Colston noted that Cleary had repeatedly attempted to contact the woman involved in his offending while in prison via both phone and email.

She said the woman wasn’t safe when he was in custody and that she was “clearly at terrible risk when he’s out of custody”

Cleary has a history of violent offending, and was notably on parole for violent offending when these latest offences occurred.

Mr Rose argued that Cleary be released on parole in four months, given his remorse, rehabilitation attempts, good work history, and 107 days of pre-sentence custody.

Magistrate Kahlert said she didn’t think it appropriate to declare the presentence custody time-served, as it relates to similar offending.

Cleary ultimately received a head sentence of two years imprisonment.

Magistrate Kahlert set his parole release date for eight months from today, on March 7, 2023.