Man facing torture, assault charges in alleged DV case

It is alleged the offending occurred in April this year in Mackay.

A Mackay man is facing torture and assault charges.

TORTURE, choking and assault charges against a Mackay man are bound for the district court.

Matthew James O’Dea is facing 14 offences including seven acts of alleged domestic violence on April 15 this year at Ooralea.

The 31 year old is charged with once count each of torture, choking, armed assault and assault occasioning bodily harm, and three counts of common assault all of which are labelled as domestic violence offences.

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Under the state Criminal Code torture means the intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering on a person by an act or a series of done once or more than once and is punishable by up to 14 years jail.

Mr O’Dea, who is in custody, is also facing other charges including driving without a licence, obstructing police, stealing and possessing drug utensils.

The case was mentioned briefly today in Mackay Magistrates Court.

Defence solicitor Geoff Govey said registry committal paperwork had been completed, meaning the case was in the process of moving to the district court.

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Because of the nature of some of the charges, they must be heard in the higher court.

Once the case has been committed from the magistrates court, the Crown has six months to indict an accused – this means formally charge someone in that higher jurisdiction on some or all of the charges that were committed.

Matters will be mentioned again on October 26.

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