Former Cape York Land Council chief executive officer, Dion Reece Creek, 39, pleads guilty to stalking and assault

A Cape York leader who was instrumental in negotiating land rights and establishing support services for men has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment on domestic violence charges of stalking, common assault and assault occasioning bodily harm.

Former chief executive of the Cape York Land Council Dion Creek in 2019.

A Cape York leader and traditional owner who helped establish men’s groups and mental health support services in his community has been jailed for domestic violence offences.

Dion Reece Creek, 39, former chief executive officer of Cape York Land Council, pleaded guilty in Cairns District Court on Wednesday to stalking his former partner this year and to common assault and assault occasioning bodily harm in 2019.

Crown prosecutor Claudia Georgouras told the court Creek assaulted his former partner until she was unconscious in front of two of their children in February 2019 in Yarrabah, then lied to her about what had happened, telling her she had fallen from a couch.

After the assault, he drove her to Cairns.

It wasn’t until someone else stepped in that the woman was taken to hospital for treatment of her injuries and symptoms, which included a bleeding nose, split lip, blurred vision and visible bruising, the court was told.

Ms Georgouras said the stalking charge related to 983 phone calls and texts Creek sent to the woman over a 55-day period between June and August this year, including one 30-minute period when he called her 17 times and sent text messages about her location when he was nearby.

Defence barrister Brydie Bilic, provided four character references to the court.

She said he was a father to five children, including a six-month old.

She said Creek pleaded guilty early, had support in the Coen community - where he would move upon his release - and strong prospects of rehabilitation.

Former chief executive officer of the Cape York Land Council Dion Creek. Picture: CYLC

She said he accepted he would need to “rely on these services which he has advocated for in the past” to deal with his work and personal stresses in a healthy way.

Ms Bilic told the court Creek understood he would be in prison into the New Year.

“He is remanded in custody on further charges. They’ve been listed for plea in the early New Year,” she said.

Judge Dean Morzone KC sentenced Creek to to 18 months imprisonment with a parole release date of February 11, 2025, with consideration to the 129 days he had already spent in custody.

“No matter what station you hold in the community, who you are and even how others may hold you in respect and esteem, you are not above the law,” Judge Morzone said.

“I have to make it clear that the whole of the community condemns you in your offending.”

Judge Morzone said the assault was aggravated because it was committed in front of children.

“You slapped her across the face, then you hit her to the back of the head, chased her and the children to the neighbour’s house when they fled from you, then you swung her around by the hair and assaulted her until she lost consciousness, resulting in obvious injuries to her head and face,” he said.

“You lied to her about her circumstances.”

Judge Morzone noted Creek was an Aboriginal man of the southern Kaantju clan and a traditional owner with close connections to traditional lands, culture and customs.

“You’ve held community roles and professional roles. You were involved in the native title land rights and were a lead voice in that environment,” Judge Morzone said.

“You went on to co-design the joint agreement for the national parks, an area comprising more than 6500sq km.

“More remarkably and somewhat ironically, you helped establish the men’s group program and the mental health program, a service so needed in the community for offending for which you here are to be sentenced.

“You may find yourself a client of your own programs.”

Judge Morzone noted Creek had been subject to “public shaming and vilification” as a result of the charges.

“It’s (your) self-reflection in the place you are now that will pave your future... (which) demands a better way of life - one where you are not trying to cope with your stresses in a way ... that impacts others,” Judge Morzone said.

Originally published as Former Cape York Land Council chief executive officer, Dion Reece Creek, 39, pleads guilty to stalking and assault