Toowoomba man Matt Marshall arrested, charged, sentenced for terrifying domestic violence assault

A Toowoomba man was forced to hide in a backyard after his brother threatened to stab him in a rage – but he wasn’t the only one in the man’s sights.

A Toowoomba man who subjected his family to a violent and terrifying episode was sentenced to 12 months probation and 40 hours of community service.

A court was told Matthew Joel Marshall was arrested and charged in the very early hours of Tuesday morning, March 21, for assaulting his brother and leading police on a foot chase through the streets of Glenvale.

Police prosecutor Rohan Brewster-Webb said an extremely intoxicated Marshall arrived home at midnight and began yelling from the street that he was drunk and someone had stolen his money.

After waking his mother and brother, Mr Brewster-Webb said Marshall began ranting incoherently, which included threatening to kill his ex-partner, her mother, and him looking for petrol to burn their house to the ground.

Mr Brewster-Webb said the 24-year-old then turned his sights on his brother, threatening to stab him, before leaving to rummage around in the kitchen draws.

Toowoomba Courthouse.

The man’s younger brother fled into the backyard, but after Marshall began trashing the house and punching several holes in the walls, his mother told his brother to run.

When police arrived Mr Brewster-Webb said a chase ensued on foot which resulted in Marshall trespassing through a number of properties and refusing to stop.

However, a backup crew was forced to take him down at a nearby church at about 12.55am.

Mr Brewster-Webb said at the watch-house, Marshall was vomiting, erratic, and unpredictable and complained about hearing voices in his head, and noted police believed he was on drugs as he only had a BAC of 0.113.

The court was told the episode was out of character and Marshall had nothing of a similar nature on his criminal history, and he was also seeking mental health support.

Acting magistrate Andy Cridland said it was very concerning behaviour and placed Marshall on a 12-month probation order in order to assist with substance abuse problems.

The unemployed man was also ordered to complete 40 hours of community service after he pleaded guilty to common assault, trespassing, wilful damage, and four charges of obstructing police.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Toowoomba man Matt Marshall arrested, charged, sentenced for terrifying domestic violence assault