Man, 45, chokes, assaults partner in domestic violence incident
A woman is lucky to be alive after she was subjected to what a magistrated described as one of the ‘most serious cases of domestic violence’ he has seen. And it was sparked by a dispute over cigarettes.
Moreton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Moreton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Scarborough woman is lucky to be alive after an argument with her former partner over a pack of cigarettes escalated into a violent assault and road rage incident.
Troy Brian Cree, 45, appeared in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on July 16 via video link, charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, common assault and contravening a domestic violence order.
He pleaded guilty to all charges.
The court heard the violent acts took place on May 13 at Scarborough, north of Brisbane.
Magistrate Bucknall said it was one of the “more concerning and serious cases and examples of domestic violence that I’ve seen in recent times”.
The incident started with Cree shoving his former partner, of 18 months, into a parked boat and demanding she take him to get cigarettes.
They get in the victim’s car and she drives him to the shop but it was closed.
She drives back to Cree’s home and asks him to get out of the car.
The defendant then tries to remove the keys from the ignition and a physical altercation erupts.
Cree told the victim “I’ll smash your head through the door” if she did not take him to a service station to get cigarettes.
MORE COURT NEWS
Behind bars: 46-year-old Kallangur man on 17 charges
Woman laughs as cops list dog cruelty charges
‘He almost hacked off my hand with a metre long machete’
The man then raised his fist and threatened to punch the victim.
It escalated again – this time Cree grabbed the woman around the throat and squeezed for 10 seconds, only releasing when she started to struggle for breath.
Cree then leaves the car to go and get his wallet.
“Don’t leave or I will kill you”, he threatened.
As he walked away the victim started the car and drove off.
Cree got in his car and chased after her.
When he caught up – he stopped his car in the middle of the road and reversed into the victim.
She tried to drive away, the defendant continued to chase her – ramming her vehicle and almost running her off the road into a parked car.
Cree only stopped chasing her when she drove into the Redcliffe Police Station.
The incident caused $8518.60 worth of damage to the victim’s car.
Magistrate Bucknall said Cree had a lengthy criminal history including previous convictions common assault and assault occasioning bodily harm.
Defence lawyer Andrew Stewart submitted several character references from the defendant’s family and friends.
Magistrate Bucknall described them as “next to useless”.
He said each reference said the behaviour was “out of character” for the defendant and they were “surprised” by his actions.
“This bloke is far from being a good character,” Magistrate Bucknall said.
Magistrate Bucknall sentenced Cree to 15 months for contravening the domestic violence order, 18 months for the dangerous operation of a vehicle and six months for the common assault.
He set a parole release date for November 12, taking into account the defendant had been in custody since May 13.
Cree was also disqualified from driving for nine months and ordered to pay $8518.60 in restitution.