SEQ violent offenders sentenced to terms of imprisonment
Their brutal offending caused significant injury to the lives of their victims. We list offenders who copped at minimum suspended prison sentences since the start of last year.
Logan
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Police have confirmed violent crime is up, with SEQ courts filled with offenders causing serious physical injury.
To counter its pernicious effect on the community sentencing guidelines that usually preserve jail terms as a last resort, are set aside.
The following offenders all copped prison sentences, with some benefiting from them being suspended.
They all committed serious assaults that had significant impact on their victims’ lives.
NEVILLE CONLON
The 22-year-old man was this month imprisoned for a vicious stabbing attack that confined his younger brother to a wheelchair.
Appearing at Beenleigh District Court Raceview man Conlon was supported by his mother and older brother when he was sentenced to three years’ prison.
He pleaded guilty to a single count of grievous bodily harm.
The court heard the defendant was 19 years old on February 29, 2020, when he and his then 18-year-old brother hit the streets of Boronia Heights on a quest for ice around 6.15am.
Failing to score, an argument erupted between the two with Conlon pushing his younger brother over, causing him to fall and hit his head.
While his victim lay on the ground, Conlon used a kitchen knife to stab his brother in the abdomen, the back of his neck and face, according to the prosecution.
A stab to his neck caused grievous injury, lacerating the teen’s spinal cord, the court was told.
Conlon’s brother required emergency and follow-up surgery but lost the use of his right leg and arm, now required a wheelchair, and was unlikely to fully recover, the court heard.
Conlon was sentenced to three years’ prison, of which he must serve 12 months.
With 78 days pre-sentence custody declared as time served he was given a March 8, 2023 parole release date.
JON DENNIS GURNEY
The Russell Island man left a young man seriously injured after a cowardly hotel attack.
Gurney, 33, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court this month to 24 charges, including grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning bodily harm.
The court heard he attacked two men, aged 22 and 24, outside the Brightwater Hotel in Mountain Creek on July 22, 2020.
The men had been leaving the pub when they offered a woman a lift home at about 9.30pm.
Before they could go their separate ways, Gurney confronted the 22-year-old and said, “What are you doing? Are you trying to get on my missus, mate?”
The court heard while the 22-year-old was trying to diffuse the situation, Gurney blindsided him and punched the left side of his face on the back of his lower jaw bone.
The victim turned to Gurney and said, “that was a f**king dog shot” before Gurney continued to punch him in the jaw two more times, causing him to fall to the ground.
Gurney then turned his attention to the other 24-year-old man, and when the victim turned away from Gurney, he punched the right side of his face in the eye socket and nose, the court heard.
The 22-year-old assault victim had to undergo surgery for his injuries, and three metal plates were inserted into his jaw.
Gurney was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, suspended for a period of four years.
The 276 days he spent in pre-sentence custody were declared time served under the sentence.
MICHAEL JOHN MACKAY
A court this month heard a woman suffered memory loss and gasped desperately for air during a vicious, protracted bashing and strangulation at the hands of the “sleep-deprived”, jealous labourer.
Former Beenleigh, now Hervey Bay man Mackay, 50, walked free from Beenleigh District Court after accepting all the facts of his reprehensible offending.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and a single count of choking, suffocation, strangulation in a domestic relationship.
The court heard Mackay on February 9 last year flew into a violent rage at a Beenleigh residence, when his then partner admitted to having an affair in an attempt to quell his anger.
Instead, Mackay punched her in the face multiple times, tripped her so she fell and continued to punch her multiple times, all the while his house mate looked on, according to the prosecution.
Undeterred, he smothered her mouth with his hand so she could not breathe, then bashed her head repeatedly on the floor, the court was told.
Frantic with fear, his victim called out for help, only for Mackay to strangle her, causing her to gasp for breath.
Mackay was sentenced to three-and-a-half years’ prison, suspended after having served 185 days in pre-sentence custody.
He was further sentenced to three years’ probation with a conviction recorded.
RHYS MARK FRANCIS BAYLISS
The Somerset man was in April jailed after he subjected his then partner to a night of horrific violence which ended with the pair’s bed soaked in the woman’s blood.
Ipswich District court heard the Esk and Stanthorpe man began assaulting his partner at 7.30pm on May 7, 2021.
About six hours later Bayliss was stuffing bloody sheets into a washing machine and lying to police about how he had cut his knuckles, the court heard.
Crown prosecutor Michelle Parfitt said the 31-year-old man began the assault while the pair was driving home.
The court heard the protracted, vicious assault included Bayliss hitting his victim all over her body, bashing her head onto a ute handbrake, punching the victim numerous times in the face, kicking her while she was on the ground and smothering her while she choked on her own blood.
Judge John Byrne said acts of domestic violence were hideous and the scourge of society before sentencing him to four-and-a-half years in jail.
Bayliss will be eligible for parole on January 11, 2023 for the offending.
KYM MAI LANDSDOWNE
Brisbane District Court in October heard the Ipswich woman flew into a violent rage when her boyfriend lost her mobile phone, returning after an arrest to bash him with a metal pole.
Bundamba woman Landsdowne, 44, pleaded guilty to seven counts.
They included grievous bodily harm, stealing, two counts of common assault and three counts of wilful damage.
The court heard all offences occurred on March 10, 2020 at a Kangaroo Point address.
After an earlier arrest for public nuisance at her partner’s residence, Landsdowne returned once bailed and attacked him while armed, the court was told.
She struck him from behind in the head with a pole and then to his leg, causing a compound fracture to his right shin and splitting the skin.
He was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital where he required surgery and the insertion of a rod into his leg.
He subsequently developed compartment syndrome and still struggles to walk, the court heard.
Landsdowne had spent 141 days in pre-sentence custody.
She was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, with parole eligibility set at June 10, when she will have served 16 months.
ALANA GRACE JOHNSON
Appearing in April at Cleveland Magistrates Court the teen was jailed for months for viciously assaulting a council worker, Coles worker, police officer, young mum and a walker in separate shocking incidents.
Johnson, then 19, of Capalaba pleaded guilty to a throng of charges.
They included serious assault occasioning bodily harm while armed, serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm, two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, three counts of stealing and obstructing police.
The court heard on March 4 she caused serious injury to a man taking an afternoon walk when she bashed him bloody with a real estate sign.
On June 1 last year she punched a Coles worker while shoplifting and eye-gouged and scratched a responding police officer.
On April 11 last year she throttled and punched a young mum walking her two-year-old in a pram at a bush track, the court was told.
And on March 10 last year she repeatedly bashed a Redland City Council worker at a Lota property during the seizure of a dangerous dog.
Having served 26 days in pre-sentence custody, Johnson was sentenced to 21 months’ prison with a July 6 parole date.
BENSON JAMES WINKLER
The serial criminal would spend his birthday in jail for the 14th time in March after terrorising a man in an hours-long abduction, bashing and threatening ordeal on Russell Island.
Winkler, 28, was visibly upset when he did not receive the immediate parole release he was after at his Cleveland Magistrates Court appearance.
The Russell Island man pleaded guilty to more than a dozen charges.
Most serious among them were charges of deprivation of liberty, common assault, threatening violence, unlawful use of vehicle, demanding property with menaces with intent to steal and driving while disqualified by a court.
The court heard a Russell Island man’s day of terror started when his acquaintance Winkler punched him on the forehead at 9.30am on July 17 last year, claiming the victim had been careless with a syringe used to shoot up drugs.
An hours-long ordeal followed which included Winkler forcing the victim to sign over rights to his vehicle, holding him captive with an armed co-offender, more punches to the head, a forced meth purchase and threats to murder the man’s parents.
Having spent 225 days in pre-sentence custody, Winkler was sentenced to three years’ prison with an immediate parole eligibility date.
LEAM BODIE SMITH
The young auto worker from Logan was in March warned at court to change his violent ways after unleashing a vicious “unprovoked” attack on his ex-girlfriend.
The then 21-year-old Kingston man pleaded guilty in Beenleigh District Court to five domestic violence offences: Two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one each of choking, suffocation or strangulation in a domestic setting, common assault and wilful damage.
The court heard Smith became “enraged” with his ex-girlfriend and inflicted an “unprovoked” attack on her on January 31, 2020.
Smith, who was 19 at the time of offending, kicked a hole in the wall and grabbed the victim by the throat, causing her pain as his nails dug into her skin.
The victim unsuccessfully attempted to calm him down, and Smith grabbed her by the throat with both hands and squeezed, making it difficult to breathe, the court was told.
He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with an immediate parole release date.
Convictions were recorded.
JACKSON JOHN PAULGER
The 29-year-old bitumen sealer from Slacks Creek managed to avoid actual jail time in October for viciously bashing an unconscious man as he lay motionless on the ground.
Paulger pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court to eight charges including assaults occasioning bodily harm and wilful damage.
The court heard he bashed a man unconscious after being sacked from his job in Verrierdale on November 27, 2019.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Donna Kay said witnesses saw Paulger strike the man with a closed fist to his head causing him to lose consciousness and “he continued to stomp, punch and kick the man while he lay motionless on the ground”.
Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll said the victim had to be taken to hospital for his injuries.
“It’s lucky the person didn’t die,” he said.
Paulger was sentenced to a head sentence of two years’ imprisonment with an immediate parole release date.
He was also ordered to pay $1000 in compensation to the assault victim.
JOSEPH SHAHEDI CHALFE
Cleveland Magistrates Court in November heard the 23-year-old convicted drug trafficker opened up a 5cm gash on the forehead of a woman he twice struck with a piece of exercise equipment.
The Macleay Island man pleaded guilty to numerous charges.
They included assault occasioning bodily harm, possessing dangerous drugs; possessing property suspected of having been used in a drug offence; possessing drug utensils and unlawful possession of weapons.
The court heard the defendant was “deeply involved in the drug trade” in 2019 when he was asked to leave the premises of a woman but refused repeatedly.
Following an argument and physical struggle, Chalfe bashed the woman in the mouth with an abdominal roller.
According to prosecutors, the victim grabbed Chalfe’s “man-bun” in order to prevent a further blow with the implement but was struck on the forehead, splitting it open.
Chalfe was convicted and not further punished for his drug offending, and sentenced to two months’ prison with immediate parole.
BRENYN TYLA FRANKLIN, JOSHUA JAMES WILLIAMSON & TERRY PULLEN
In February an Ipswich judge handed down three separate jail terms following a brutal and bloody bashing on a residential street at Bellbird Park.
Franklin, Pullman and Williamson pleaded guilty to two charges of assault causing bodily harm while armed/in company, and one count of grievous bodily harm.
An Ipswich court heard the three young men attacked two brothers and their father after an alleged traffic incident on September 5, 2020.
Crown prosecutor Amanda Robinson said Ipswich brothers Franklin, Williamson and their proclaimed ‘brother’ and friend Pullen were responsible for the violent “vigilante” attack.
After one of the victims allegedly ran over a motorbike on purpose, Ms Robinson said the furious men left to arm themselves before returning to the victim’s home.
Ms Robinson said the youngest of the trio Williamson, 20, who had no criminal history, acted as a lookout while Franklin and Pullen attacked the men.
Of the victims, one brother was left with a cracked skull and acquired brain injury, another was beaten with a metal bar while lying injured on the ground and their father suffered fractures to a wrist and ribs.
Having spent 224 days in pre-sentence custody, Franklin was sentenced to four years’ jail which will be suspended for four years after he serves 12 months in custody.
Pullman walked free on parole after he was sentenced to four years’ jail suspended for four years, after the 520 days he spent in pre-sentence custody was declared time served.
Williamson was sentenced to a three-year suspended prison sentence and spent less than a day in custody at the time of the crime.
LUKAS JEFFREY PEEBLES
The Macleay Island concreter in February added to his history of serial violent offending by severely bashing a man during a late night drug deal.
Appearing at Cleveland Magistrates Court via video link, Peebles, 37, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while armed, stealing and unlawfully possessing suspected stolen items.
The court heard Peebles had gone to a drug deal around 11.15pm on October 24 last year on Macleay Island when his victim unexpectedly attended before a planned crabbing session.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Duncan Blackburn said Peebles punched the man numerous times in the face, causing him to fall out of his boat.
He followed him down, picked up a stick and repeatedly bashed the man with it to the back of the head, neck and back while he tried to flee.
The victim’s injuries included vomiting blood, a fracture to his right arm, blurry vision and bruising.
Having spent 105 days in pre-sentence custody, Peebles was granted immediate parole release and sentenced to 19 months’ prison wholly suspended over 18 months.
A conviction was recorded.
KALEB BOWEN
Appearing at Ipswich District Court in June last year Bowen was jailed for bashing a man in the back of the head with rock.
The then 22-year-old Booval man pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm when armed with an offensive instrument and in company to Oka Gideon Lofipo, at North Ipswich on Saturday, August 8, 2020.
The court heard a violent confrontation erupted between a group of people in the middle of a busy Ipswich road, ending with Bowen felling his victim with a rock to the back of the head.
Crown prosecutor Amy Stannard said the violence began with a verbal argument between Mr Lofipo and Bowen outside a house.
The victim spent a night in hospital.
The court heard that at the time, Bowen was on parole for unrelated prior offences, and had since spent 10 ½ months in jail.
Bowen’s existing jail term was taken into account when he was sentenced to four months’ jail with an immediate parole eligibility.
ASUERU ACEY MOTUGA
The former Brisbane Youth Detention Centre worker from Browns Plains in November avoided actual jail after brutally assaulting his girlfriend at work, before going home and binding her neck and arms with an electric cord.
Motuga, then 46, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court to five domestic violence-related charges including two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, two counts of common assault and one count of deprivation of liberty.
The court heard Motuga and his then girlfriend had been working at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre in Wacol when he bashed her on an unknown date between December 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
“He’s grabbed her radio piece, thrown her to the floor and pushed her into the concrete wall and kicked her while she’s on the ground,” police prosecutor Tim Wise said.
The court heard the Motuga’s violence continued when the pair went home to a residence in Browns Plains.
“The defendant has locked doors so she couldn’t leave,” Mr Wise said.
“The victim has then gone for a shower and been dragged out of that shower and ultimately put the electric cord around her neck and hands.”
Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll sentenced him to an 18-month suspended sentence of imprisonment and ordered him to pay $1000 in compensation to the victim.
AARON LEE GRAHAM
A police officer had to recover for a month from a torn cheek muscle after an assault at the hands of the 21-year-old from Browns Plains.
Graham pleaded guilty at Beenleigh Magistrates Court in July last year to 10 charges including one count of seriously assaulting police and two of seriously obstructing police.
The court heard police arrested the 21-year-old following reports he had been armed with a knife during a fight with another man in December.
Police prosecutor Jeanette Mitchell said Graham had been noticeably under the influence of a substance and became aggressive when police arrived at the scene to take him into custody.
She said he struck one of the officers in the jaw while he was wearing metal handcuffs, leaving the cop with a torn cheek muscle which he took a month off work for.
Graham was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, six months of which will be served as part of a suspended sentence.
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