Yeppoon man Dayne William Reed Keefe jailed for choking partner

An aspiring pub manager and musician has been placed on a probation order throwing a duck coop at his partner and later choking her on the bed, a court heard.

Dayne William Reed Keefe, 30, had been living with his partner of five years and his mother in Yeppoon when he got into an argument with his partner on March 14, 2023, followed her outside yelling. He went on to throw a duck coop at her and choke her.

An aspiring pub manager and musician has been jailed for throwing a duck coop at his partner and later choking her on the bed, a court heard.

Dayne William Reed Keefe, 30, had been living with his partner of five years and his mother in Yeppoon when he got into an argument with his partner on March 14, 2023, followed her outside yelling.

Crown prosecutor Ken Spinaze told Rockhampton District Court on December 13 that the offending took place over a protracted period with elements of coercion and control.

He said Keefe’s partner exited the house to put the ducks away and Keefe made comments about killing the ducks as they continued to argue.

Keefe then picked up the duck coop and threw it at the young woman, missing her, and she ran back inside the house and into the bathroom.

He followed her, picked up shampoo bottles and threw them at her.

Mr Spinaze said the victim pleaded with Keefe to “just let her have a shower”.

Keefe screamed in her face and she ran back outside.

He took her phone off her and threatened to smash it.

The neighbours had called police by this stage.

At some stage, the pair returned to their bedroom where Keefe pushed the victim down on the bed, climbed on top of her, trapping her arms with his legs.

The victim screamed at Keefe to get off her but he placed his hands around her neck instead, choked her so she couldn’t speak, her body became numb, her vision blurred and she was no longer able to breathe.

“She thought she was going to die,” Mr Spinaze said.

After about 20 seconds, Keefe released his grip “of his own violation” and the victim escaped, fleeing the house and running into police.

Keefe was arrested and charged with one count of choking and one of breaching a domestic violence order which he pleaded guilty to on December 13.

Defence barrister Sheridan Shaw said when she first met Keefe, he tearfully told her he felt bad for hurting the victim and was sorry for the impact it had on her.

She said Keefe’s parents separated when he was 12/13 years old and he left school not long after but had completed Year 10 equivalent through TAFE.

Ms Shaw said he had started a psychology degree at university but had not completed it and had worked at an electronic repairs store, supermarket and hospitality.

She said Keefe was working at the Railway Hotel as a gaming attendant at the time of the offending and was working towards becoming a manager.

Ms Shaw said his plan post release on parole was to reside with an uncle before relocating to Brisbane.

Keefe was sentenced to 2.5 years prison with 274 days presentence custody declared as time already served.

The sentence was ordered to be suspended after serving 274 days with an operational period of three years.

Keefe was also placed on a three year probation order with convictions recorded.