QLD man hides behind kids when police arrive at domestic violence scene

A Central Queensland court has heard shocking details of a domestic violence incident where the offender tried to hide behind his children “for protection” from police.

Police had to handcuff a man during a domestic violence incident at Yeppoon. Generic image.

A Central Queensland court has heard shocking details of how a domestic violence offender hid behind his children “for protection” from police.

The 41-year-old man, who by law cannot be named, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on January 12 to contravening a domestic violence order and obstructing police.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said that at 9.41pm on December 28, police were called to a Yeppoon residence due to the man swearing at a woman.

Sgt Ongheen said police found the man in the front patio area and they spoke to the woman who was reluctant to share information.

The prosecutor said the man was argumentative with police.

“Police saw the (man) back away from (them) and attempt to hide behind his children,” Sgt Ongheen said.

“Police heard the man say to his son, words to the effect ‘I’ll stay behind you for protection’.”

Sgt Ongheen said when police tried to talk to the man about the conditions of the domestic violence order that was in place, he became “more argumentative and combative”.

He was subsequently arrested for breaching the order.

Sgt Ongheen said the man then yelled at the aggrieved, words to the effect ‘because of all this, f--k you, I’ll change those locks tomorrow so you have nowhere. F--k you, thanks again, love’.”

Sgt Ongheen said due to the man’s escalating behaviour, police had to physically escort him from the premises.

The man then reached out to grab hold of a beam to prevent police from moving him before turning to the aggrieved and swearing at her.

Sgt Ongheen said while police were trying to conduct a search of the man before putting him in a police vehicle, he “pushed out” towards an officer with his left arm, obstructing him.

Police then had to apply restraint and transition the man to the ground.

The man continued to resist and scream out.

He was handcuffed and he yelled to the aggrieved: “You f--king b---h, you’ve done it all.”

Solicitor Allan Grant said the man worked as a drill operator in the mining industry and had been drinking on the day of this incident.

Mr Grant said this was his client’s first time before a court for a domestic violence breach.

Before handing down penalty, Magistrate Grace Kahlert told the man he should be ashamed of himself for exposing his children to this sort of behaviour.

Ms Kahlert noted the man had a previous obstruct police offence on his history.

She fined him $1000 and no conviction was recorded.