Shannon Weti sentenced for Ipswich DV assault on partner, fraud

An Ipswich dad who a court heard was “clearly of good character” repeatedly kicked his partner in a brutal attack that caused his own children to turn their back on him.

Spring Mountain machine operator Shannon Wharepouri Weti, 31. Picture: Nicola McNamara

A churchgoing Ipswich dad has faced court for the first time in his life for a brutal and unprovoked attack on his partner.

Spring Mountain machine operator Shannon Wharepouri Weti, 31, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on November 1, 2023, to assault occasioning bodily harm (DV), and fraud.

The court heard Weti had assaulted his partner during an argument in Redbank Plains on September 10, 2022.

Magistrate Dennis Kinsella said Weti’s partner had made to leave, but Weti pushed her in a “vicious attack”.

He then pulled her, causing her to fall to the ground and kicked her repeatedly on the ground.

The victim suffered bruising to her arm and leg.

A month later, Weti withdrew $900 with the same partner’s card.

Police prosecutor Trent Voigt said the fraud was “indicative of [Weti’s] attitude of contempt for the victim … He thinks he can do whatever he wants with her property”.

The court heard Weti had been highly cooperative with police and remorseful.

His defence lawyer Madeline Jacks said Weti’s two sons, from a previous relationship, had refused to see their dad for around nine months after finding out about the incident.

Weti had struggled with depression and anger management issues, but Ms Jacks said he had since sought mental health support.

The court heard Weti had no criminal or traffic history, and was very engaged in his local church.

Mr Kinsella acknowledged Weti’s lack of history indicated he was “clearly someone of good character,” but said his offending was persistent and unprovoked.

For the assault occasioning bodily harm, he sentenced Weti to four months imprisonment, wholly suspended for nine months.

Weti was also fined $300 for the fraud, with no conviction recorded for that charge.

He was further ordered to pay restitution to the victim, referred to SPER.