Warwick man sentenced for DVO breach after emailing abuse to baby

A Warwick man’s alcohol problem has caused nothing but trouble after he was hauled before court for sending an abusive email to a one-year-old child.

A Warwick man who appeared in court after police received notice of him sending an abusive email to a child has been told that the experience should be a “wake up call”.

The man – who cannot be named for legal reasons - pleaded guilty to one charge of contravention of a domestic violence order on February 12.

On May 28, 2023, the man in his 50s, called and emailed his former partner, whom he shares a young child with, despite a no contact order.

The only way for the man to contact the woman was through a lawyer, the court was told.

The man attempted to call the woman, which she did not answer, before sending an email that was to be used regarding the child – which was set up before the protection notice was issued.

The email read “Hey my little man, how cool is it you will receive free swimming lessons! You will win gold at state and nationals like your father, just make sure your mother keeps off the drugs.”

Defence lawyer Clare Hine told the court the man was diagnosed with several mental health issues.

“Alcohol had played a part in his life and he was intoxicated at the time of offending, but that is no longer the case,” Ms Hine said.

Ms Hine admitted the man had contacted the aggrieved despite the DVO in place, and the email sent was “innocuous”.

“There was no reason for you to send this email addressed to a one year old child, who was never going to read it, reasonable expectation was that the aggrieved would have read it,” magistrate Virginia Sturgess said.

“Hopefully this has been a wake up call about complying with court orders that are there for a reading.”

The man was sentenced to four months imprisonment, released on parole the same day.