DV attacker sentenced at Yeppoon for punching woman in the head

A man who had only recently arrived in Australia when he was arrested for bashing a woman has been warned he might not get the stay in the country if he doesn’t change.

An immigrant who punched a woman in the head “numerous times” has faced Yeppoon Magistrates Court. Generic image.

An immigrant who punched a woman in the head “numerous times” has faced a Central Queensland court to get his penalty.

The man in his 40s, who by law cannot be named, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court this week to contravening a domestic violence order.

Police prosecutor Corey O’Connor said on December 6, the man used his elbow to dig into the woman’s ribs.

Mr O’Connor said the man then punched the woman in the head “numerous times.”

“(The woman) had bruises on her arm from where she was grabbed by (the man),” the prosecutor said.

The man had no criminal history in Australia.

Solicitor Oscar Millroy said his client was from another country and had only been in Australia for “a short period of time.”

Yeppoon Courthouse.

Mr Millroy said the man was in a relationship with the woman.

“He is ashamed that he’s acted in this way,” Mr Millroy said, asking that no conviction be recorded as the man was looking for work and he planned to stay in Australia “long-term.”

Prior to imposing penalty, Magistrate Lance Rundle gave the man some advice.

“The difficulty that will arise for you, is if you end up being sentenced to a term of imprisonment, particularly for domestic violence, I doubt you’re going to get a Visa to live and remain in Australia - I doubt that you’d get permanent residency,” Mr Rundle said.

“So, it’s important that you comply with domestic violence orders, and you don’t break the law in Australia.”

Mr Rundle placed the man on 12 months’ probation and no conviction was recorded.