Christopher Dale Singh faces Mackay Magistrates Court for common assault

A father-of-five who put his hands around a woman’s throat and spat at her during a “cowardly” assault has been given a tongue-lashing by a Magistrate.

A man was called cowardly by a magistrate after he an attack on a woman put him in custody for more than 70 days.

A man was called cowardly by a magistrate after an attack on a woman put him in custody for more than 70 days.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard Christopher Dale Singh, 37, was on parole at the time for similar offending when he was charged with common assault.

The court heard Singh had his hand around the throat of a woman whom he then threw to the ground.

Acting Magistrate Michael Quinn said he then “cowardly went about berating her and threatening her”.

“You put your hands around the throat of another human being, a person in respect of who there was a significant power imbalance,” Mr Quinn said.

“This assault involving spitting as well.”

The court heard Singh spent 71 days in pre-sentence custody before his appearance in Mackay Magistrates Court by videolink on January 9.

Singh’s defence lawyer Laura Santin said he was a father-of-five who had been in a 15-year-relationship with the woman, and “they had issues six months prior to this offending”.

Ms Santin told the court Singh held a bachelors with honours in behavioural psychology and had been working in a warehouse for the past two years.

“My client stated he did suffer with some substance abuse issues in relation to smoking marijuana,” Ms Santin said.

She said Singh told her he was now “clean from that” and also told her he had converted to Christianity “which is assisting in his recovery”.

“He is remorseful for his actions,” she said.

Mr Quinn said Singh’s behaviour was disgusting and “every right-thinking person in the community would look down on you, and rightly so”.

The court heard the common assault charge was only divulged to police on October 30, weeks after Singh was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment on October 18 with a parole release date of the same day.

“That penalty is significant,” Mr Quinn said.

After taking into account Singh’s previous sentencing, Mr Quinn said he was “disappointed” in himself that he could not sentence Singh to “a very lengthy period of imprisonment”.

Singh was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, with the sentence suspended for an operational period of 18 months which Mr Quinn said “will be hanging over your head”.

Singh pleaded guilty to the charge of common assault and convictions were recorded in relation to all matters.