Joel Freebody: Yamba man jailed for domestic violence assault

A Clarence labourer put his hands around his partner’s neck, shook her and pushed her to the ground with such force that three witnesses said they were scared the victim would die.

Joel Freebody was sentenced at Maclean Local Court.

A magistrate has slammed a Clarence labourer who viciously attacked his partner, describing his assault as one of the “most serious examples” of domestic violence she has ruled on in court

The court heard three witnesses were forced to intervene when they saw a man assault his partner with such force they all feared she might die.

“The victim had been thrown to the ground with such force the witnesses later told police they were concerned she would be killed,” court documents state.

Now Yamba man Joel Freebody, 32, who until recently was living in southern Queensland, has learned the consequences of his violent actions after he fronted Maclean Local Court on Thursday.

On Thursday, the 32-year-old had pleaded guilty to common assault and damaging property.

He was convicted of both offences, and sentenced to one year behind bars, with a non-parole period of six months.

Joel Freebody was sentenced to a year in prison.

According to documents tendered to court, Freebody’s violent rampage began after he was drinking at Yamba’s Bowling Club with his partner of five years in the early afternoon of April 27.

Around 3:15pm, the pair left the bowling club and a verbal argument ensued — only to quickly turn into physical violence, a court heard.

This violence was witnessed by multiple people who were driving past the bowlo, including some brave witnesses who attempted to intervene.

“One of the female (witnesses) stopped her vehicle in front of the bowling club. She saw (Freebody) physically assault the victim by putting his hands around her neck. He then shook her and pushed her to the ground,” police facts state.

“At this time another couple pulled into the car park to assist … (they) got out of their car and attempted to help the victim.

“The male witness told (him) to stop assaulting the victim.”

But when the witnesses intervened, Freebody directed his rage towards the male witness, according to court documents.

Freebody “ran at the male witness” and hit both the windscreen and passenger side door of his van, causing small cracks, the court heard.

Joel Freebody was caught by police soon after the assault.

At this point, the witnesses had called the police and the victim had fled scene.

While the three witnesses tracked down the victim, Freebody walked away along Wooli St.

But police soon found him “urinating in a public place” near the Marina on Yamba Rd, a court heard.

They arrested him then and there — taking him to the police station where he “continued to act in an aggressive manner”.

When police found the victim, she was crying and told them she did not want to provide a statement, a court heard.

“(When she) was asked by police what happened, she responded by putting her hand towards her throat and said, ‘No I need to get to the doctor, I don’t want to get him into trouble’,” court documents state.

“Police then spoke to the witnesses away from the victim.

“All three of the witnesses stated to police they thought (Freebody) would kill the victim.”

This will be Joel Freebody’s first time behind bars.

In court, defence lawyer Holly Shilling said her client had no excuse for what happened and “didn’t have a great recollection” of the events because he had been drinking.

She also told the court Freebody, who has an extensive criminal history in both Queensland and NSW, has a problem with alcohol and recently “went down a spiral” after managing to remain sober post a period in rehab.

The court also heard he returned to the Clarence from Queensland because he has strong family support here.

“He wants to stay on track … (he wants to) better himself and get back into treatment,” Ms Shilling said.

However Magistrate Juliana Crofts told the court this was “one of the most serious examples of common assault” she had seen before a court.

She said the need for community safety left no other option than Freebody’s imprisonment.

As he was led away from the docks, Freebody looked at his grandfather and friend, who were supporting him in court, and mouthed the words “I love you”.