32-year-old jailed for assaults on 8-year-old stepson in Murgon

A southeast Queensland man has been jailed for assaulting his eight-year-old stepson in front of shocked campers, including headbutting him and kicking him multiple times.

A family holiday in Murgon turned into a nightmare for an eight-year-old boy, when he was headbutted and kicked by his stepfather.

The young boy was assaulted twice by his stepfather in Murgon in January this year while the man was heavily intoxicated.

The 32-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the child’s identity, had been drinking on January 9, and began hurling abuse at the boy and calling him names.

This quickly escalated, with the child’s siblings telling police they saw the man headbutt and kick the boy as well as “put him in a trash bin”.

The abuse continued when the group returned to a caravan park, with the man continuing to kick the boy and call him “pissy pants”, despite the boy’s mother telling him to stop.

This was also witnessed by shocked campers, who recorded the aftermath and called police at about 6pm.

The man faced Kingaroy Magistrates Court on April 21, 2022, and pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while intoxicated.

Police prosecutor Lisa Manns told the court the little boy had to be taken to hospital and suffered a haematoma and bruising.

Lawyer Jay Rose told the court her client had a previous meth addiction and acknowledged he behaved badly.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and now admits to his wrongdoing,” she said.

She also said he intended to move to Miles upon his release.

Magistrate Barry Barrett sentenced the man to nine months’ jail, suspended for 15 months.