‘F--king smash you’: Cat killer Shaun French guilty of attacking man in vehicle at Moonee Beach property

A Coffs pest control business owner convicted of killing a cat by zip tying its neck has landed in court again following another violent crime. Here’s what we know.

Complete Pest Control owner Shaun French was sentenced for a violent and unprovoked attack.

A well-known Coffs Harbour pest control business owner and convicted cat killer attacked and intimidated his ex-partner’s boyfriend not long after being released from prison for assault and animal cruelty.

In 2020, Shaun French was sentenced to at least two years in jail for suffocating his then on-and-off girlfriend’s cat by tying a zip tie around its neck.

The 37-year-old owner of Complete Pest Control was sentenced for the fresh offending at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday.

Shaun French faced Coffs Harbour Local Court. Photo: Facebook

French pleaded guilty to assault and intimidation committed at his Moonee Beach property after attacking his former partner’s boyfriend on the afternoon of June 15.

Court documents state French approached a vehicle driven by the victim, which was parked approximately 20 metres away from his house, and began to threaten the man.

“Don’t even look at me, I’ll f--king smash you,” French said before he opened the driver’s door.”

He continued: “Get out of the car, I’ll f--king smash you.”

French then punched the seated victim in what police prosecutor Senior Constable Woolnough described in the court as an “unprovoked” attack.

Mr Woolnough said French’s criminal “history doesn’t assist him” and he was not “entitled to leniency”.

Magistrate Julia Virgo said French’s criminal past mostly involved domestic violence incidents dating back to 2009.

Coffs Harbour Courthouse.

Court documents list a myriad of crimes committed from 2014 onwards – including stalking and intimidation, aggravated break-and-enter, and torturing, beating and causing the death of an animal.

Defence lawyer Hugo Schleiger told the court French had re-engaged with a psychological counsellor due to anxiety and depression.

“He can’t excuse his behaviour and is sorry for what he did,” Mr Schleiger said.

French pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity to assault and intimidation, the court heard.

Magistrate Virgo said of French’s criminal record: “With domestic violence matters someone on the surface can be living a prosocial life, but that’s not what’s really happening.”

She said the attack was unplanned and the result of an emotional reaction.

French was sentenced to serve a two-year community correction order, which included 100 hours of community service.