Gene Robert Charles Buckley sentenced for DV assault

A tradie who once worked for Ipswich City Council has been sentenced after grabbing his partner by the neck following an argument about groceries.

A tradie and former Ipswich City Council worker has been released from custody after being sentenced for grabbing his partner by the neck following an argument about groceries.

Gene Robert Charles Buckley, 36 years old of North Booval in Ipswich, was sentenced for one count of assault occasioning bodily harm (a domestic violence offence) at Beenleigh District Court on Thursday.

He was previously also facing two domestic violence charges of choking, suffocating, and strangulation. However these were dismissed.

Buckley, who had spent nine months and two weeks in custody, was sentenced to 12 months’ jail but released immediately. A conviction was recorded.

The court heard Buckley grabbed his partner’s neck with his right hand and squeezed for about 10 seconds during an argument about groceries at her home in Woodridge on November 7 last year.

The woman’s 20-year-old son intervened and told Buckley to take his hands of his mother, which he did. Police were then called.

Judge Craig Chowdhury said at a court appearance in October that there was another alleged fight sometime later in the afternoon on the day Buckley choked his partner.

“He grabbed the complainant’s throat with his right hand, she almost fell over and he also punched the complainant in the chin,” Mr Chowdury said.

Gene Robert Charles Buckley. Photo: Ross Irby

The court heard she suffered a sore and swollen neck, and bruising in the days after the offending.

Buckley has a lengthy relevant criminal history, the court heard.

In 2018 he was put on a 15 month probation order after violently assaulting a taxi driver.

The court heard while on probation he failed to report on three separate occasions, and turned up drunk on one occasion and abused staff.

Buckley, a painter and construction worker, had been battling an addiction to ice for years, the court was told.

But during his extended time in custody he was able to break his ice, alcohol and tobacco addictions.

The court heard his parents were supportive and he would live with them upon his release.

If you need help, contact National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.