Darren James Christensen, 54, of Capalaba leaves ex-partner with ‘significant injuries’

A concreter subjected a woman to a brutal and “appalling” bashing, leaving her with significant injuries.

A concreter who left his ex-partner with significant injuries after a vicious bashing has walked free from court despite his lawyer conceding his appalling offending could attract a prison sentence.

Darren James Christensen, 54, was sentenced to probation so that he can address his anger issues, according to magistrate Deborah Vasta.

Christensen, of Capalaba, pleaded guilty to a single count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court heard the defendant was at a mate’s house on April 21 last year when he attacked the woman who was his partner for 20 years.

Christensen grabbed the victim by the throat, smashed her against a wall and struck her so forcefully she fell to the ground and momentarily lost consciousness.

He then picked her up and marched her out of the house.

Images tendered to the court showed injuries that included two black eyes, a 1.5cm gash to the inside of her lip and contusions to her head and nose.

A police prosecutor said the violent offending had to be rebuked by the court in the strongest terms.

“It is an offence of violence and terms of imprisonment are at the forefront of the court’s mind,” the police prosecutor said.

“There needs to be a deterrent in relation to this type of behaviour.

“Domestic violence is so prevalent in our community.”

Darren Christensen, 54, of Capalaba leaves Cleveland Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to the vicious bashing of his ex-partner. Picture: Marcel Baum.

Christensen was sentenced in 2020 for assaulting police and committing a public nuisance.

Defence solicitor Jane Bruxner conceded her client’s “very, very serious” offending put him in range of a prison sentence but said he had strong family support.

Ms Bruxner noted his two sisters and 15-year-old daughter were at court for the man who had worked in a casual capacity in concreting for 30 years.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta sentenced Christensen to 2.5 years’ probationto allow him to remain in the community to work on his “reactions when getting angry”.

*For 24-hour support in Queensland phone DVConnect on 1800 811 811, MensLine on 1800 600 636 or the national hotline 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.