Man bashes pregnant girlfriend, escapes from police

A NSW man’s bizarre escape from police custody has been revealed in a Logan court, with the defendant also admitting to violently attacking his pregnant girlfriend.

A man has been sentenced after punching his girlfriend in the head and escaping police. PICTURE: FILE

A NSW man who punched his pregnant partner in the head and brazenly escaped police custody has been sentenced in a Logan court.

The man, 28, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on November 14 to two counts of contravening a domestic violence order, unlawfully escaping custody and two fraud dishonesty offences.

The court heard that on October 27 last year, the man woke his pregnant partner up at 3am and accused her of cheating on him.

He then smashed her phone and punched her hard in the head several times.

He was arrested by police in Boronia Heights but escaped before later being tracked down and returned to custody.

The court heard that on the same day, the man filled his car up with $19.38 of petrol in Greenbank and drove off without paying.

He filled his car with $50.30 of fuel at a Toowong service station as well before driving off without paying.

His lawyer said the man planned to live with his sister in Coffs Harbour when he was released from prison.

Magistrate Terry Duroux said domestic violence was treated extremely seriously by the Queensland courts.

“Domestic violence remains an insidious and prevalent problem in society,” he said.

“This was cowardly behaviour perpetrated against a pregnant female.

“In terms of the escape, it was very unusual circumstances.”

The defendant was sentenced to 12 months in prison with an immediate parole release date. He had already served 127 days in pre-sentence custody.

He was ordered to pay $69.68 in restitution for the petrol thefts.