Ipswich charity worker Joshua Duke jailed for violent, unprovoked assaults

A southeast Queensland charity worker has been locked up today for a series of violent crimes, including an unprovoked attack that knocked an IGA shopper unconscious in front of his children.

Joshua James Garry Duke outside Ipswich Court on November 1, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

An Ipswich dad knocked a grocery shopper unconscious during series of violent crimes, which a court heard he committed before turning his life around by working for a local charity.

Father-of-three Joshua James Garry Duke, 24, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on November 1 to assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault, public nuisance at a licenced premises, wilful damage, and contravening a direction or requirement of police

On November 2, the court heard the most serious offence, the assault occasioning bodily harm, took place at a Mount Morgan IGA on March 18, 2022.

A 41-year-old was out shopping with his children when Duke punched him once or twice in the jaw, causing him to fall to the ground unconscious.

In what Mr Kinsella called an “act of sheer cowardice,” Duke then kicked the unconscious man’s chest and stomach.

The man sustained cuts, bruises and swelling to the head, shoulders and chest, and also noticed blood in his urine afterwards.

Duke also assaulted a 53-year-old at a Redbank work site on December 8, 2020, over what the court heard was some perceived provocation.

Mr Kinsella said Duke took a swing at the man, who fell to the ground, and Duke continued to kick and punch him.

Duke later knocked the man to the ground again and picked up a stick.

The wilful damage was on December 30, 2021, during a dispute at a skatepark in Mount Morgan.

Duke had been with others when he ran towards a group of people while wielding a bat, which he used to hit a vehicle three or four times.

Then on May 2, 2022, Duke became involved in an incident at a Mount Morgan hotel.

Police were called after Duke started yelling and swearing at a group of people.

Mr Kinsella said Duke had told a person he would “bang this c**t in front of you” while police were present.

The court heard Duke had previously been sentenced to two years’ probation in January 2020 at Rockhampton for a previous assault occasioning bodily harm offence.

Defence lawyer Paddy O’Donnell said Duke had been struggling with undiagnosed schizophrenia and drug induced psychosis, along with meth use, at the time of his offences.

Duke had not used meth for some time and had spent four months in rehab last year, the court heard.

He had sought assistance from Helens Haven at Goodna Street Life, who had since provided him with employment.

Mr O’Donnell said his client now assisted them with receptionist duties and charity work.

He said Duke was remorseful, was working on a certificate three in business, and could benefit from a wholly suspended term of imprisonment.

But police prosecutor Trent Voigt said Duke should serve some time in actual custody, noting the grocery store assault in particular was “extremely concerning.”

“It’s a violent unprovoked attack which has continued even when the person has fallen to the ground unconscious and unable to defend themselves,” he said.

Mr Kinsella accepted Duke had made significant steps towards rehabilitation.

“This is a matter I have struggled with as to what I should do … The conclusion that I ultimately come to is that actual imprisonment is warranted,” Mr Kinsella said.

“This is a kick in the guts … It is a setback, and I understand what that all means for you,” he told Duke.

“You can give up, or when you get out, you can make sure you stay back on the right track.”

Duke was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, with parole release set for February 2, 2024.

He said a teary goodbye to his mother and sister before being taken into custody.