Matthew Alex Mackay pleads guilty to assaulting former partner

A father has been blasted for a ‘grossly excessive’ response to a violent clash with his former partner that involved him dragging her by her hair and pinning her by her throat.

A father has been blasted for a “grossly excessive” response to a violent clash with his former partner that involved him dragging her by her hair and pinning her by her throat at his Bucasia home.

A court heard there was a heated argument between the pair on October 29, 2020 after Matthew Alex Mackay had been in a foul mood.

Mackay District Court heard Mackay told the woman to “fuck off” and ended the four-month relationship.

He told her to leave his home more than once and she refused.

The court heard their argument became physical and his conduct was labelled “grossly excessive in all the circumstances” including him dragging her down his driveway by her hair.

During the clash she slapped him across the face.

The court heard he had also pinned her with his forearm, which slipped up near her neck.

He also told her “you’re lucky I don’t break your face”, the court heard.

Mackay, 31, who had no criminal history and cooperated with police, pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm and common assault.

The court heard he had since relocated to Brisbane to be with his new partner, worked fly-in, fly-out at a Central Queensland mine and had one child.

There had been no offeding since this incident in 2020.

Judge Brad Farr said the offending had an ongoing impact on the woman and described it as “disgraceful conduct”.

But Judge Farr accepted it was out of character.

Mackay was placed on 18 months probation and convictions were not recorded.