Stuart Peter Knowles sentenced for choking ex-girlfriend at Biloela

A Central Queensland man who choked and assaulted his ex-girlfriend told police his actions were ‘typical partner things’, a court has heard.

Stuart Peter Knowles was sentenced in the District Court at Rockhampton.

A Central Queensland man who became a dad while remanded in custody for assaulting and choking his ex-girlfriend, has been sentenced.

Appearing in custody, Stuart Peter Knowles, 34, was sentenced in the District Court at Rockhampton on Tuesday after pleading guilty to assault, choking and wilful damage (all domestic violence offences).

The court heard all of the offending happened on Christmas Eve last year, after Knowles arrived at his ex-partner’s Biloela residence.

Crown Prosecutor Tessa Walmsley said during an argument, Knowles slapped the woman.

The pair continued to argue and later, the woman went into her room and closed the door.

Ms Walmsley said Knowles kicked the door, causing it to break from its hinges, and once inside the room he grabbed the woman by the throat.

“The (woman) punched and kicked at him and screamed that she couldn’t breathe,” Ms Walmsley said.

“(Knowles) told her to stop screaming, apologised, and released his grip of her throat.”

Ms Walmsley said Knowles, in a statement to police after the incident, expressed a concerning view that hitting each other was “typical partner things.”

Stuart Peter Knowles.

The court heard Knowles had a “limited” criminal history which did not include previous offending of this sort, and he had spent 271 days in pre-sentence custody.

Barrister Maree Willey said Knowles, who had previously worked in labouring jobs including scaffolding, concreting and tyre fitting, had changed his outlook on life following the birth of his first child three weeks ago.

“The mother of that baby is the complainant in this matter,” Ms Willey said.

She said Knowles started using methamphetamine about two years ago following the deaths of people close to him including his brother.

“All those things (deaths) happened over a period of about six months... (he) then commenced using methamphetamines - he said his use was such that his employment really dropped off over those couple of years as well,” Ms Willey said.

“When he first went into custody he felt like he really didn’t care - not about being in custody so much - about life in general.

“He said understanding of the pregnancy and the child to be born, who’s now been born, he said really his world has changed.

“He’s looking for a fresh start...and he wants to change.”

Ms Willey said Knowles had completed a drug and alcohol course while in custody.

The barrister said Knowles’ mother and sister were in court to support him.

Judge Jeff Clarke declared 271 days’ pre-sentence custody as time already served and sentenced Knowles to two years’ jail, suspended after serving 271 days, for an operational period of three years.