Joshua James Stewart, 36, told to get off island after property destruction and dangerous driving

A man with a long criminal history has been sentenced after multiple police units and a dog squad were called in over a family melee on a Moreton Bay Island, with a magistrate saying it was almost time for a character test for island residents.

A man deemed too dangerous for an island with the second highest domestic violence rates in the greater Brisbane region has been urged by a magistrate to make a move.

Appearing at Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Joshua James Stewart, 36, of Macleay Island pleaded guilty to one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle (domestic violence offence) and wilful damage (domestic violence offence).

The court heard the removalist was drunk when he damaged his mother’s property during a “family melee” that would result in numerous police units descending on the island, including a dog squad.

According to court documents, Stewart damaged a garage door; caravan door; water tank and pot plant before racing off in his vehicle on June 8.

A police prosecutor said the defendant was observed careening all over the road near Tingara, Kate and Dalpura streets before crashing.

According to the prosecution a witness observed Stewart scaling a fence to make his getaway and would be observed returning to the location around 12.30pm.

Multiple police units including a police dog squad were called in pursuit.

The offending came on the back of a “long history of violence” for the man who said anxiety and a rabid drinking habit were at the heart of his woes.

The court heard Stewart had served three months in jail on a 12-month prison sentence for an unprovoked attack on a “completely innocent” man at the Macleay Island Hotel’s Pub Paradise in 2019.

According to the prosecution, Stewart punched an unsuspecting 54-year-old man numerous times in the back of the head after he observed the victim giving a hug to a female acquaintance of his.

Pub Paradise on Macleay Island. (AAP Image/Steve Pohlner)

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said despite it being a “completely innocent and welcome” hug Stewart followed his victim outside the venue and continued his assault punching the man several times in the face.

It was but one example of a 10-year history of violent offending that included two separate sentences for serious assault of a person over 60 years of age, four sentences for public nuisance, obstructing police, and multiple sentences for wilful damage for which the man had been imprisoned on numerous occasions.

Stewart spent two months in jail on an eight-month prison sentence and was ordered to pay $2000 in compensation for an assault on a victim aged over 60 years in 2016.

He also served 206 days in prison on an 18-month sentence for entering a property at night, damaging and stealing and unlawful use of a vehicle.

A solicitor for the defence said her client had apologised for the damage caused on June 8 and was determined to address his drinking and anger management issues.

Macleay Island is known for its striking Moreton Bay vistas.

The defence said Stewart had developed a hard drinking habit at the age of 14 that saw him consume up to eight standard drinks at a time, but had ceased consuming drugs in 2015.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said Stewart had the last decade to address his issues and noted that even by Macleay Island’s accentuated domestic violence rates, he was a standout.

“He is a danger to himself and the community,” Magistrate Vasta said.

“He needs to move off Macleay Island.”

Magistrate Vasta remarked that Macleay Island residents were particularly vulnerable due to their isolation.
“I am starting to think that people who live so far from help need to pass a character test to live on these islands and maybe you should move,” she said.

Stewart was sentenced to a six-month intensive community corrections order, described at the court as “jail, but jail served in the community”.

The sentence could involve up to two probation appointments a week, up to 12 hours of community service a week and may include court ordered rehabilitation stays.