Stephen Stanek found guilty of knife attack on former partner, DV
A jury has found a Southern Downs man guilty of subjecting his former partner to horrific acts of domestic violence while armed with two knives.
A Warwick man has been remanded in custody after a Darling Downs jury found him guilty of assaulting a former partner while armed with two knives.
At the Toowoomba District Court on Wednesday, October 1, Stephen James Stanek was found guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed, threatening to kill the woman, and damaging her property.
He was found not guilty of one count of strangulation and assault occasioning bodily harm and was dismissed of those charges.
Stanek’s sentence was adjourned to later in the week so his legal team could prepare, which included obtaining medical documents, which they say are relevant to what type of sentence should be imposed.
The sentence was adjourned to be heard later in the week.
Earlier
A Darling Downs jury will decide the fate of a Warwick man accused of violently assaulting a former partner while armed with a knife.
Stephen James Stanek pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed, assault occasioning bodily harm, threatening violence, strangulation, and property damage.
The two-day trial before the Toowoomba District Court began on Monday, September 29, where the woman, her neighbours, police, and medical professionals were called to give evidence.
The court was told Mr Stanek was living in the Toowoomba region when the alleged attack occurred.
Crown prosecutor Peri Cardiff told the jury in her closing address there was sufficient evidence to find Mr Stanek guilty, and that the woman was an honest and credible witness.
She alleged Mr Stanek assaulted the woman while armed with two knives, and allegedly threatened to kill her while holding the tip of the weapon to her chin.
He allegedly told the woman he would take her into a paddock and feed her to the pigs, and that no one would notice she was gone, and no one would miss her.
Photos of injuries on the woman’s arm were shown to the court, which showed small cuts, abrasions, and blood on her forearm, while a large bruise looked to cover her entire upper arm.
The bruise was allegedly caused by Mr Stanek repeatedly hitting her with the back of a large carving knife.
He also stands accused of pushing the woman days prior because he wasn’t happy with what she made for dinner, and allegedly choked her after she threatened to call the police.
Defence barrister Wesley Seewald told the jury there was no definitive evidence that could satisfy them beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr Stanek caused the jury, and said the woman had a motive to lie.
He said her account of the alleged strangulation was “inherently unlikely” because she said it occurred for a minute or so, and despite having a respiratory issue, she remained conscious.
Mr Seewald said the injuries themselves were not consistent with someone who had been repeatedly hit with a knife.
The jury was told the woman texted her neighbours and asked them to call the police, and one of them detained Mr Stanek until police arrived.
The audio of an interview Mr Stanek had with police following his arrest was played to the court, where he told an officer he had no idea why he was arrested, and that his neighbours and the woman must have set him up.
He denied assaulting the woman and accused her of stealing from him.
More to come.
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Originally published as Stephen Stanek found guilty of knife attack on former partner, DV
