Gold Coast concreter Yun-Kai Chang sentenced for violent bashing of woman

The owner of a Gold Coast concreting business has faced court after violently beating and strangling a woman.

Yun-Kai Chang fronted court on Monday over the violent bashing of a woman.

A Gold Coast concreting business owner has fronted court after violently bashing a woman and strangling her.

Yun-Kai Chang, 37, pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of strangulation.

The court heard that on February 8, 2020 Chang repeatedly hit the woman in the face, causing her serious bruising and scratches.

He then put his hands around her throat and strangled her for a few seconds.

Judge Ken Barlow said the strangulation charge was particularly concerning.

“It (strangulation) is of great concern to the community because … it often means the person doing the strangling will go on to kill someone in due course,” he said.

“That’s why we consider it so serious.”

The court heard Chang had no criminal history and there was nothing in the psychological report tendered to the court that provided mitigating features for the offence.

Chang had not completed any form of rehabilitation, but it was argued this was due to his very long working hours and family responsibilities.

His partner, who supported him in court, was due to give birth to their first child next week.

She provided a reference to the court in which she said he was a good man and that they had spoken about his offending,

“She says you have had several serious conversations about what happened and have shown remorse,” Judge Barlow said.

“You agreed with her that it is never acceptable to physically or mentally harm a woman.”

“She expresses the view that you are unlikely to offend again and believes you are committed to making positive changes.

Another friend provided a character reference that said Chang “handles conflict with diplomacy and tact”.

But Judge Barlow noted that at the time of the offences he clearly did not.

Chang was sentenced to two years and three months’ jail but was given immediate parole release.

Judge Barlow said he wanted the parole board to be aware he wanted Chang to undertake anger management courses.