Central Queensland man breaches bail and domestic violence order

A Central Queensland man charged with indecent treatment of children under 16 years has breached his bail and a domestic violence order.

A Central Queensland man charged with indecent treatment of children under 16 years has breached his bail and a domestic violence order.

The defendant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on January 6 to one count each of breaching bail conditions and contravening a domestic violence order.

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said the defendant entered into a bail undertaking on April 6, 2022 with one of the conditions being that he report to the officer in charge of Moura Police every Monday and Thursday.

Ms Brown said the defendant failed to report on December 29, 2022.

She said the defendant also breached a domestic violence order on January 2 by attending the victim’s address in Moura and that he started yelling and causing a disturbance.

A man confronted the defendant and the two got into a fight.

The victim told the defendant to leave, however, he refused and continued to cause a disturbance by yelling and swearing at persons at the residence.

Ms Brown said police found the defendant on January 5 and he stated he went to the victim’s address to speak to his brother and for no other reason and that he was aware he was breaching the domestic violence order.

She said the defendant had been dealt with for breaching bail on numerous occasions and argued his bail should be revoked.

She said the defendant had been dealt with in court in May 2022 for six counts of breaching bail conditions and again in October for a further three counts of breaching bail conditions.

“The defendant has a terrible history for breaching bail and is at risk of continuing to breach his bail if released again today and has committed more offences while subject to bail,” she said.

Defence lawyer Lachlan Robertson said his client directed no violence or threats towards the victim.

“That other person was his brother and that was the result of some family issues that had been going on,” Mr Robertson said.

“My client’s brother had aired in the community, which my client took issue with.”

He said despite failing to report, his client remained in the community and otherwise complied with his bail conditions.

“Where he missed it one day he has gone back another day,” he said.

Acting magistrate Ron Muirhead fined the defendant $1200 and ordered him to 12 months’ probation with criminal convictions recorded.

Mr Muirhead said he would not revoke the defendant’s bail.

“I have decided to give you a final chance,” he said.

The defendant is due to appear in Biloela Magistrates Court on February 8.