Joseph Scotney pleads guilty to strangling partner in ‘meth rage’

A woman had to flee to a nearby service station after her iced up Sunshine Coast partner strangled and punched her in the face over a bizarre argument about brushing her hair.

Joseph Michael Scotney leaving Maroochydore District Court last week. Picture: Sam Turner

A Maroochydore man has walked from court after admitting to strangling his partner and chasing her to a local service station during a “meth rage”.

Joseph Michael Scotney instead was granted immediate parole in Maroochydore District Court last week after he pleaded guilty to seven charges including two counts of assault and one of choking.

Crown prosecutor Nicola Hamilton said the 32-year-old was in a relationship with the victim when the domestic violence attacks erupted at her home on July 5, 2023.

Ms Hamilton said the woman got out of the shower and went to brush her hair downstairs, however Scotney argued with her to stay upstairs.

Scotney after his sentence. Picture: Sam Turner

The Maroochydore man flew into a fury and grabbed and squeezed the woman by the throat and forced her into a mirror.

The court heard the victim felt “immense” pressure on her neck for three minutes and struggled to breathe.

Ms Hamilton stated Scotney continually said he was going to kill her, and punched her four times in the mouth.

She was then thrown onto the bed where the 32-year-old applied pressure to her neck and wrapped his legs around her as she screamed out for help.

Scotney said she was only yelling for assistance so the neighbours could hear her, so he decided to close the windows.

The woman fled from the house to a nearby service station, with Scotney hot on her tail.

He pushed her against the wall of the business and demanded she get back into the house.

The pair were involved in a physical struggle until she found refuge inside the petrol station, however Scotney, armed with a shifter or adjustable spanner, smashed a glass door before he finally left.

The court heard he flew into a “meth rage”. Picture: Sam Turner

Ms Hamilton said the victim suffered bruising to her torso and shoulder, swelling to her neck, pain in her throat, a cut to her lip and found it hard to swallow.

Police caught up with Scotney at a resort in Caloundra two days later where meth, butanediol, and glass pipes were found in his room.

The court heard he was remanded in custody for 54 days until he was granted Supreme Court bail, and had been on conditional liberty in the lead up to his sentence.

Ms Hamilton said there was no victim impact statement but stated her fear could be inferred from the facts, where the woman thought she was “going to die”.

He pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Picture: Sam Turner

After hearing the facts and reading documents before the court, Judge Michael Byrne said it was clear Scotney was out of control and in the course of a “meth rage”.

“He’s a big boy … she must’ve been scared out of her wits,” Judge Byrne said.

“Not only has she been strangled, he’s at the front door with a shifter.”

Defence barrister Mark Dixon said Scotney struggled with a drug addiction and mental health conditions throughout his life.

Mr Dixon said since being released on bail he took part in residential rehabilitation and was 405 days clean from substances.

Scotney’s barrister said the 37-year-old has “dedicated himself” to being the best person he can be since being charged and was remorseful.

Judge Byrne plainly told Scotney in the dock that what he did was “awful” and “particularly heinous”, with his offending wreaking of “uncontrolled methamphetamine usage”.

He jailed Scotney for two years, but opted to give him immediate parole after citing his extensive rehabilitation efforts.