Man chokes partner four times during shocking domestic violence attack in Mackay

He choked her four times, and three times covered her mouth and nose with his hand.

A Mackay father who unleashed a shocking attack on the mother of his children choking her four times has dodged spending any time behind bars.

She had told the 33 year old she wanted to separate.

“What followed was a protracted incident,” Crown prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke told Mackay District Court.

Over a five to 20 minute window on May 24, 2020, Todd Wayne Stengord choked his partner four times.

“And on three separate times covered her face, or her mouth and nose with his hand, restricting her or preventing her from breathing,” Ms O’Rourke said.

On the last time she felt like she was going to pass out, and the next thing she remembered she was on the floor.

He also pushed down on her throat, pinned her arms and tried to push her around.

The court heard Stengord had admitted the choking to his partner’s sister, but then denied it to police, opting to blame the victim by suggesting “that she had been violent with him”.

On Monday he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of choking and common assault, but escaped spending any time in jail despite the court having a default position that choking offenders should serve some time in custody.

Barrister Scott Neaves argued there were particular features in his client’s case that warranted a non-custodial penalty.

“He took immediate steps insofar as the men’s behavioural change program,” Ms Neaves said.

The court heard he completed the program by December 2020 after attending 14 sessions.

“My client leapt into action in terms of fixing, or trying to fix, his own personality traits or character faults that led to this offending,” Mr Neaves said.

The court heard for the past 12 months he had been a good employee and had a number of references from people who were aware of the offending and continued to support him.

Mr Neaves said this spoke to the man’s ability to rehabilitate.

Judge Julie Dick said it was an important feature that almost immediately after the offending Stengord proactively sought rehabilitation.

The court heard he had a lack of criminal history and had good family support.

Judge Dick said these factors “allow me to move away from the usual position” of a custodial sentence.

Stengord was jailed for two years wholly suspended for three years. He must also complete 150 hours of unpaid community service. Convictions were recorded.