Rockhampton man threatened to put woman in a body bag during domestic violence incident, court hears

Police went to a North Rockhampton home after receiving concerning information that a woman had been threatened by a man who had a “terrible” criminal history. Here’s what happened.

A Rockhampton court has heard that a man threatened to put a woman in a body bag during a domestic violence incident. Generic image.

A Rockhampton man threatened to punch a woman in the mouth and ‘put her in a body bag’ during a domestic violence incident, a court has heard.

The 33-year-old, who by law cannot be named, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on April 8 to contravening a domestic violence order.

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said on February 26, police received information about a disturbance at a North Rockhampton residence.

“On the way to the address, police contacted the informant who stated that (they) had received a phone call from the (woman) stating that she had been kicked out of an address in (North Rockhampton) by the (man),” Ms Brown said.

“The informant has overheard the (man) threatening the (woman) saying ‘f--- off and leave. I’ll punch you in the mouth and I’ll put you in a body bag’.

“The call was then terminated.”

Ms Brown said the informant tried to call the woman back but the phone was disconnected.

She said police went to the residence and they spoke to both the man and the woman.

“The (woman) was not very forthcoming with information, stating that herself and the (man) had just had an argument and that there was no need for police,” Ms Brown said.

The prosecutor said the man told police there had been a verbal argument and that he had smashed a shared mobile phone “out of frustration over the argument”.

Ms Brown said police found that phone which was smashed and no longer functioning.

She said the man had denied making the threats.

Solicitor Brandon Selic said the man had been diagnosed with two medical conditions and he was on a disability support pension.

Mr Selic said the aggrieved was present in court in support of the man who had sought professional help for his issues.

“He (the man) has a terrible history, Your Honour, I’m not going to deny that,” Mr Selic said.

“But fortunately for him, there is no history of domestic violence that I can see on that history - at least nothing within the last five to ten years, and no violent offending, or personal violent offending I should say, Your Honour.”

Magistrate Jason Schubert described the man’s criminal history as “less than enviable”.

He noted, however, the last offence was in 2017 and the man had made efforts to keep out of trouble since then.

Mr Schubert placed the man on probation for six months and a conviction was recorded.