Prisoner’s harrowing threats to domestic violence victim

A court north of Brisbane was visibly shocked by disgusting death threats levelled by a man from prison. WARNING: GRAPHIC

People in a court north of Brisbane were left reeling and a magistrate said he had never heard anything so vile after he read out the abuse and death threats said by a defendant towards his victim and a witness of his domestic violence

A 28 year-old Burpengary man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, appeared in Caboolture Magistrate Court via video link on September 2, charged with five counts of contravening a domestic violence order.

The court heard that between March 12 and June 7, 2022, the defendant made at least 50 abusive phone calls to a victim and witness, attempting to coerce the witness into making the victim withdraw the charges against him, with offers of money, victim blaming and attempts to guilt the victim.

Magistrate James Blanch said between April 6 and June 7 while on remand at the Woodford Correctional Centre, the man made 35 calls to a witness, demanding, pressuring and pleading with her to phone the victim and tell her to withdraw the charges.

The court heard he offered her money again, to attend the victim’s address, phone the victim on a private number, threaten to commit suicide and take the victim to the courthouse to get an affidavit, to withdraw the charges.

Mr Blanch said the defendant became frustrated with the witness for not being able to get the victim to withdraw the charges.

Mr Blanch read out the defendant’s words said over the phone in court: “I just want to snap this f*****g c**t’s neck in half,” Mr Blanch quoted the man as having said.

“I’ve got a lot of bad things in my head and I can do a lot of bad things.

“I’ll come find you c**t and I’ll kill ya.

“I’ll do the rest of my time and you can live the rest of your life looking over your f*****g shoulder.

“For the rest of your life c**t and I will burn you and your kids.

“You will be the next f**king Hannah Clarke c**t.”

Prosecutor Sergeant Peter Mitchelson and Mr Blanch said they were both surprised the 28-year-old was not charged with other offences.

“He was at risk of being charged with something far more serious then what he has been,” Sgt Mitchelson said.

“The other concerning thing is he was in custody at the time when this happened.”

The defendant’s lawyer James Torcetti told the court the calls were made when the 28-year-old was in segregation behind bars and was being supervised at risk of self-harming.

“The context of that relationship is not straight forward, it is an immensely toxic relationship,” Mr Torcetti said.

“Whilst it’s accepted it’s a toxic relationship, the complainant has also placed her name on the list.

“He has reached out to attend counselling about his relationship with the victim.”

The court heard the defendant had 12 previous contraventions of domestic violence orders.

The defendant was convicted and sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, eligible for parole on September 2, with Mr Blanch telling the defendant it’s unlikely he’ll be getting out anytime soon.