Fitter threatens partner in drunken fight on AFL final night

A drunk man threatened and screamed at his partner telling her he’d give police a reason to arrest him during a fight at an AFL grand final party.

A man was drunk on 20 beers when he verbally abused his partner.

A drunk man rushed at his partner screaming “Come at me c--t” at a party he was throwing to watch the AFL Grand Final.

The argument broke out at the couple’s home on September 24 after the 42-year-old fitter had drunk 20 beers.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard that the man’s previous domestic violence offences had also happened while he was intoxicated.

The man was charged with an aggravated contravention of a domestic violence order and pleaded guilty.

Police prosecutor Leonie Taufa’ao said the order had been in place since October 19, 2020.

“The argument was heated with both sides screaming at each other,” Ms Taufa’ao told the court on Monday.

“The defendant has physically rushed the aggrieved in an attempt to assault her, saying, ‘Come at me c——t’.

“However he was stopped by a witness who stepped between them.”

Ms Taufa’ao told the court the defendant had been drinking all day with colleagues who were visiting for the AFL final.

His partner had left for work at 6pm but returned home about 8pm.

Ms Taufa’ao said the aggrieved had twice asked for police to come to the house, first at 10pm and then at midnight, but after officers left the argument was reignited when she asked her partner to turn down the music.

“(The) defendant has become verbally abusive, saying ‘Call the f--king police, that’s all you’re good for’,” Ms Taufa’ao said.

“And ‘If you call the police, I’ll f--king give them something to take me for’.”

Defence lawyer Robert Beamish said his client, who worked as a fitter, was aware of alcohol’s bad influence and was taking a sobriety course.

“It is apparent my client has a problem with alcohol,” Mr Beamish said.

“Importantly, he’s self-referred to Lives Lived Well (and) has gained benefit from those appointments.

“They have continued their relationship (and) it has improved as he has started to address his drinking.”

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said she took into account his previous DV offences which had not received a recorded conviction.

He was fined $1000 to be paid by 4pm on Monday and a conviction was recorded.