Central Qld dad in court after telling young son to kill himself

A father who used “technology bans” to discipline his young son went way too far when he told the misbehaving boy to kill himself.

A Central Queensland court has heard a shocking case of domestic violence where a father told his young son to kill himself. Generic image.

A dad’s struggles with disciplining his misbehaving young son led to him to tell the young boy to kill himself, a court has heard.

The father, who by law cannot be named, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on November 2 to common assault (domestic violence offence) and contravening a DV order.

The court heard the boy’s parents, who were separated, agreed to use “technology bans” as a way to discipline their son when he misbehaved.

It was told that in June, the boy was staying with his father when the offences happened.

The court heard the boy and his dad got into a verbal argument and the boy threatened to kill himself.

Police prosecutor Brandon Selic said the dad responded by saying: “Then you should go and kill yourself”.

Mr Selic said the unlawful assault charge related to the father grabbing his son “by the scruff of his shirt”, twisting it and saying: “How dare you smash my house up”.

A shocking case of domestic violence was heard in the Yeppoon court.

The court heard the child was not injured and the dad had a previous domestic violence offence on his history from 2021.

Solicitor Krissy Cummins said the dad accepted his behaviour was not the best way to handle the situation.

“And if he had his time over again, he would react differently,” Ms Cummins said.

Ms Cummins tendered references for the father which described him as “a hard working, dedicated family man”.

Before imposing penalty, Magistrate Grace Kahlert addressed the father’s offending.

“They are both serious offences,” she said.

“He (child) engaged in behaviour which would have been challenging and you didn’t manage it appropriately.

“It was a cruel thing to say to the child.

“It’s certainly a criminal offence and you’ve pleaded guilty to take responsibility for that offending.”

Ms Kahlert placed the man on six months’ probation with conditions and no conviction was recorded.