Gracemere’s Shannon Patrick Walter McInerney’s violent attack on partner

A man with four prior convictions for attacking partners has been jailed for his fifth assault occasioning bodily harm, which started as the victim slept in the same bed.

Shannon Patrick Walter McInerney, 34, had assaulted the same victim – the mother of his four children – three times three days in a row prior to the bed assault, Rockhampton Magistrates Court heard on November 1.

A man with four prior convictions for assault occasioning bodily harm offences against partners has been jailed for his fifth AOBH, which started as the victim slept in the same bed.

Shannon Patrick Walter McInerney, 34, had assaulted the same victim – the mother of his four children – three times in three consecutive days beforehand, Rockhampton Magistrates Court heard on November 1.

Police prosecutor Corey O’Connor said the first assault took place late in the evening on April 6, four months after he was released from prison on parole, started as the couple were smoking cigarettes on the patio of the victim’s Gracemere residence.

He said the couple argued over the victim’s previous partner, and McInerney called her a “fat slut” and other names before punching her in the face, which she tried to block with her arms.

Mr O’Connor said the victim told McInerney to stop, which he did momentarily before punching her multiple times as the victim tried to push him away.

Once McInerney stopped, the victim retreated inside the house.

The court heard he carried out the same time of behaviours and offences the next two nights with the victim locking him out of the house after being punched.

The final assault took place as the victim slept in her bed on April 8.

About 3am, she woke to McInerney punching her in the face.

Mr O’Connor said McInerney had dreamt the victim was having sex with another man and punched her when he woke from the dream.

After being interrupted by another resident, McInerney left for a cigarette.

The court heard the victim had a busted lip from a tooth going through it and visible injuries to both sides of her mouth.

McInerney was apologetic about his actions and he returned crying.

He was arrested and charged by police on April 23.

Defence lawyer Brendan Gimbert said McInerney had completed six months of a carpenter apprenticeship and worked for a North Queensland council for five years before returning to Rockhampton, has an issue with alcohol.

Mr Gimbert said his client’s issues started when he moved back to Rockhampton in 2019 with his partner and four children after working in the Atherton Tablelands.

McInerney pleaded guilty to three counts of common assault and one of assault occasioning bodily harm.

He was sentenced to 18 months prison with 185 days presentence custody declared as time served and immediate parole eligibility.