‘Remorseless’ Alexandra Hills man denounced at court for protracted domestic violence horror

“Cowering little dog”: A man, whose domestic violence towards one woman left a courtroom stunned, had his microphone muted during proceedings when he tried to explain his vile behaviour. WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT

A brutal thug subjected a woman to years of abuse so severe she started to “behave like a cowering little dog”, a court has heard.

The 50-year-old Alexandra Hills man, who can’t be named due to legal reasons, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated contravention of domestic violence order.

Appearing at Cleveland Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from remand, the coward had his microphone muted for a large part of the proceeding when he persisted in attempting to explain his vile behaviour.

The court heard the man’s victim on October 21 last year had her “face smashed open” by the defendant while he called her a “dog c**t”.

It was the latest in a horrendous series of drunken violent acts perpetrated against her by the defendant on his 17-page criminal history.

On July 15, 2011 in Roma the defendant pointed to a large rock in a plant-stand and told the defendant “this is to smash you c**t”. He then pulled out a knife and said “this is some cold hard steel to run right through ya”.

The court reiterated that victims of domestic violence are in no way at fault for their perpetrator’s criminal offending. PICTURE: FILE

At 11pm on November 25, 2011 police arrived at a Beenleigh address to find the victim with injuries to her eyes, cheeks and mouth after he punched her several times.

On September 5, 2012 at a Cunnamulla location he kicked her in the kidney.

He returned later on the same day and kicked her so forcefully with his steel-capped boot that her head was driven through a wall.

Three days later on September 8 at a Cunnamulla funeral he grabbed her by the face and headbutted her while she was dancing.

On July 6, 2016 he woke the victim up at a Dunwich address, yelled at her and kicked a wooden paling that struck her in the face. He then pushed her in the face, cracking her nose.

On September 22, 2016 he yanked her from behind as she was climbing steps causing her to fall. As she lay on the ground he kicked her multiple times in the head with his bare feet, while calling her a “slut”, “whore” and “paedophile”.

On February 25, 2018 he threw an item at her causing a cut above her eye.

And on another occasion he grabbed a pair of scissors during an argument and lunged at her.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Angela Tetley said his behaviour had been “nothing short of disgusting” while he “absolutely terrorised” his victim for years.

Sgt Tetley noted the defendant on Thursday showed “no remorse” and was “lucky” to have his matter heard in a lower court, given the extensive offending against a single victim.

A two-year prison sentence was urged by the prosecution.

Cleveland Magistrates Court was chilled during the matter. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Defence solicitor Lyle Parker acknowledged his client’s “quite chilling” criminal history and said the victim was on October 21 last year “very, very drunk” and verbally abusive to “everyone”.

Mr Parker further noted her injuries on that day did not require hospitalisation, was not of the “highest category” and was suffered during a tumultuous 15-year relationship.

The submission drew sharp criticism from Magistrate Deborah Vasta who remarked the victim’s alcohol consumption was irrelevant to the defendant’s brutal offending.

“It is not a relationship; there is a power imbalance,” Ms Vasta said.

“She is behaving like a cowering little dog; she will do what he wants her to.

“She will say things he wants her to say because she is a victim of horrific domestic violence.

“It is a cycle and we are trying to break it for her.”

Ms Vasta blasted the defendant for behaving as if he had “proprietary rights” to his victim.

“She is not your property; get it through your head,” Ms Vasta said.

The defendant was sentenced to 18 months’ prison to be suspended after serving five months.

Having served 74 days in pre-sentence custody he will be released on May 22.

Ms Vasta urged the Aboriginal man to go on walkabout upon his release in order to self-rehabilitate.

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