Regency Downs husband Luke Anthony Whitehill’s Ipswich Court sentence for domestic violence

An Ipswich husband tried to flee from cops when they arrested him for “persistent and repeated” domestic violence, but was forced to face some tough truths about his alcohol misuse after landing himself lockup, a court has heard.

Luke Anthony Whitehill leaves Ipswich Court on March 7. Picture: Nicola McNamara

An Ipswich husband has faced court for “persistent and repeated” domestic violence which included him pushing his wife into a storm drain and threatening her with a butter knife.

Regency Downs father Luke Anthony Whitehill, 39, pleaded guilty on March 7 to strangulation in a domestic setting, two counts of common assault, one of wilful damage, and one count of obstructing police.

The Ipswich District Court heard Whitehill had been domestically violent towards his now ex-wife on a number of occasions in 2021 and 2022.

Judge David Kent said the most serious incident involved Whitehill squeezing the woman’s neck, stopping her breath.

He later punched a wall, causing damage, and threatened the woman with a butter knife, the court heard.

On another occasion Whitehill had pushed the woman, causing her to fall into a storm water drain and injure her elbow.

When police arrested Whitehill in March 2022, he had tried to run away from them.

He was taken into custody, where he spent 341 days on remand.

Defence barrister Dan Boddice said his client’s alcohol misuse had contributed to the offending.

Whitehill had since taken steps to limit his contact with alcohol and completed a Uniting Care domestic violence program, Mr Boddice said.

He said the 11 months his client had spent on remand in jail was a “significant punishment” for Whitehill, who had not previously served any time in custody.

Judge Kent said the offending was “persistent and repeated domestic violence” and that the impacts on the victim had been “substantial and ongoing”.

But he acknowledged Whitehill had not reoffended since he was released on bail and had made efforts towards rehabilitation.

Whitehill was sentenced to three years in jail, suspended immediately after his 341 days in presentence custody for a period of three years.

He was additionally sentenced to 12 months probation, with convictions recorded for all offences except for the obstruct police.