Central QLD mine worker sentenced for DV abuse

A Central Queensland miner who found out on Valentine’s Day that his wife was having an affair went on to inflict “dreadful” domestic violence abuse on her.

A Central Queensland mine worker has been sentenced for domestic violence offending. Generic image.

A Central Queensland mine worker has been sentenced for “dreadful” domestic violence abuse of his wife.

The 41-year-old, who by law cannot be named, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on April 18 to contravening a domestic violence order.

The court heard that on December 18, police were called to a Capricorn Coast residence where the man and his wife, who had both been drinking alcohol, got into a verbal argument.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Darrell Dalton said during the argument, the man called his wife a “sl-- and a c--t.”

The woman then put beer into the sink and said: “F--- this, I’m leaving.”

She walked into the garage where her car was parked and threw an empty box onto the ground.

Sgt Dalton said the man then entered the garage, picked up that box and threw it at his wife, hitting her on the lip.

The court heard the man had a “limited” criminal history with only one entry that was unrelated.

Domestic violence - generic image.

Solicitor Rebecca Winning said the man worked in the mining industry in Central Queensland and his relationship with his wife “turned sour” on Valentine’s Day last year.

“(He) became aware that unfortunately his wife was having an affair,” Ms Winning said.

“They have been trying to work on the marriage ever since, but things have been rocky.”

Ms Winning said on the night of this incident, both the man and his wife were intoxicated.

She said the woman went to drive her car, which angered her client.

“He didn’t want her to drive.”

Ms Winning said the man threw the empty box at the car but it bounced off and hit his wife in the face.

The solicitor said the man had sought help from a psychologist to “get his life back on track.”

Prior to sentencing, Magistrate Grace Kahlert told the man he had called his wife “some dreadful and abusive” things.

She placed him on six months’ probation and no conviction was recorded.