Zephaniah Herbert Graham sentenced in Kingaroy District Court for stalking, violence against woman

A man held a woman captive in her bedroom after kicking her in the head more than 10 times. He then chased her with a knife and told her he was going to kill her.

A young Cherbourg man who threw a glass bottle of bourbon at his partner’s head and threatened to ‘bash and kill her’ was sentenced at the Kingaroy District Court on Friday.

A Cherbourg man has been jailed after violently assaulting, stalking and threatening to kill his ex-partner, with a court told he routinely used fear and violence to control women.

Zephaniah Herbert Graham has amassed an extensive history of violence, with the Kingaroy District Court told he “seeks to control the women around him” by instilling fear and resorting to violence to get what he wants.

Prosecutor Alex Stark said that during the most recent offending, Graham’s partner was lying on their bed in February 2021 when he kicked her in the head more than 10 times and then detained her when she tried to leave, blocking the exits and keeping her captive in the bedroom.

Graham chased the woman with a knife and told her he was “going to kill her”.

Mr Stark said the violence persisted in September 2021 when Graham kicked the woman and threw a bottle of Bourbon at her head.

“There are also Facebook messages where he was threatening to bash her,” Mr Stark said.

“Derogatory names are something of a recurring feature,” he said.

Zephaniah Herbert Graham has amassed an extensive history of violence.

The court heard that in July 2022 a court order was issued prohibiting Graham from contacting the woman but he ignored it and contacted her 20 times, including when he was in jail.

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Prosecutor Alex Stark said Graham’s criminal convictions were concerning, with a similarly horrific attack carried out on an ex-girlfriend.

“A previous partner had been found with head injuries in a non-responsive state,” Mr Stark said.

Barrister Francis Martin said his client was unable to attend his son’s funeral due to being incarcerated and would not reside in Cherbourg when he is released from jail.

Judge Gary Long SC said it was unacceptable for Graham to abuse women as he had done.

“If there are complications in relation to alcohol or drugs, you need to deal with that,” Judge Long said.

“There’s the prospect you will spend more and more of your life where you are.”

Graham pleaded guilty to unlawful stalking with violence and contravening a court order.

He was sentenced to two years and nine months’ jail, with the 225 days he spent in pre-sentence custody declared time served.

Graham will be released on parole on May 30, 2023 after serving 11 months.