Felipe Esteban Ogaz: Brisbane man punches woman in face, draws blood

A man with an “appalling” criminal history who grew up in a circus has faced court after he punched a woman in the face.

An ex-circus performer has been handed a prison sentence and ordered to pay more than $1900 restitution after he punched a woman in the face and stole a number of expensive items from Woolworths.

Felipe Esteban Ogaz, 31, appeared in Beenleigh Magistrates Court via video-link from custody on Monday, July 18, where he pleaded guilty to eight charges including four counts of stealing and, most seriously, one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

Police prosecutor Tim Wise said the assault charge related to the Wishart man punching a woman in the face, leaving her with a bloody lip.

The court heard the stealing charges were laid after he stole items of “significant value”, such as electronics and beauty products, from Woolworths.

Mr Wise said Ogaz had a criminal history which featured grievous bodily harm, dishonesty-type offences, and receiving tainted property.

Felipe Esteban Ogaz, 31. Picture: Facebook

The 31-year-old had spent close to five months in presentence custody by Monday.

Defence lawyer Bettina Webb said her client grew up in an “abnormal” environment, having moved from Chile to Australia with his family when he was four years old to join The Great Moscow Circus.

She said he had spent most of his adult life in custody and had three biological children and two stepchildren.

Magistrate Gary Finger noted the man’s “appalling” criminal history, his early pleas of guilty, and his circumstances when deciding an appropriate penalty.

He sentenced the 31-year-old to 18 months’ imprisonment and ordered he pay $1057.50 and $883.70 restitution for stealing, declaring the days he spent in presentence custody since February 25 time already served.

Ogaz was released on parole immediately.