Kirifi Fa’Aulufalega Tanielu, 35, Aspley, in Beenleigh Court for assault on partner

A Logan painter’s argument with his partner over text messages he sent to another woman turned ugly, a court has heard.

Kirifi Fa’Aulufalega Tanielu, 35, leaving Beenleigh Courthouse.

A Logan painter’s argument with his partner over text messages he sent to another woman turned violent, with items thrown as the fight got out of control, a court has heard.

Kirifi Fa’Aulufalega Tanielu, 35, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh District Court on Tuesday, September 26 to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence offences).

The court heard Tanielu, who now lives in Aspley, was with his partner on August 3, 2020 in Kingston.

He was asleep on the couch when his partner found text messages on his phone he had been sending to other women.

She became upset and told him to leave. He began collecting his belongings but a confrontation ensued in which he pushed her against a wall and held her down.

She was screaming at him as he continued to hold her down by her arms.

The victim then threw her shoes at Tanielu before grabbing his iPad from a car and throwing it at him, as well as a computer monitor.

At one point Tanielu pushed her against the car and she fell, hitting her head on the driveway.

She received injuries to her lower body, upper arms and tenderness in her skull, neck and back.

The court heard Tanielu moved to Australia in 2011 and ran a business as a mural painter.

Defence lawyer John Fraser said Tanielu had no criminal history and was of otherwise good character.

“The argument between him and his partner escalated out of control and he admits he handled it wrong,” Mr Fraser said.

“That is by no means making an excuse for his behaviour, however.”

Judge Bernard Porter warned Tanielu that violence was never acceptable.

“You’re a strong man and you can’t lift a hand against another person, especially as a man of your size,” he said

“I want to impose a community service order so you are a benefit, not a burden to the community.”

Tanielu was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. No conviction was recorded.