Nathan Karami in court for trying to pervert justice

The details of a former rising Broncos talent whose childhood left him with PTSD have been revealed in court as he pleaded guilty to trying to pervert the course of justice.

Nathan Karami pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert justice, destruction or interference of a record and breaching a domestic violence order when he faced Maryborough District Court on Wednesday.

The tragic past of a man whose father and stepmother were murdered when he was a child was laid bare when he faced court for trying to get his partner to withdraw a complaint against him.

Nathan Karami pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice and destroying or interfering with a record when he faced Maryborough District Court on Wednesday.

The court heard Karami had been a prisoner at Maryborough Correctional Centre when he repeatedly contacted his partner in regard to domestic violence charges, telling her to provide a statutory declaration to a magistrate or court.

Murder victims John and Julie Karami. Pic Bob Fenney

When the woman told Karami she was just telling the truth, he told her that she “had to talk s**t”.

The court heard it was all an attempt to get her to withdraw the charges against him.

The offending had included an element of deceit, including making conference calls from the prison and providing false names to corrective services to allow him to contact the woman.

There had also been elements of coercion and control towards the woman, even from the confines of prison, the court heard.

Karami had been before the court on 20 previous occasions.

Defence barrister Ed Whitten said Karami had an appalling start to life and a prejudicial background.

Nathan Karami pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert justice, destruction or interference of a record and breaching a domestic violence order when he faced Maryborough District Court on Wednesday.

His parents had split when he was about four and he went to live with his stepmother and father.

In 2000, when he was 9, his father John and stepmother Julie were murdered at the family home in Dundathu.

After that, he lived in foster care for a time before being sent to live with his grandparents in Redcliffe.

Karami completed Year 10 and was a promising rugby league player in the Broncos development squad at one point, the court heard.

He also had an offer of a scholarship with the Sydney Roosters.

But he began using drugs, including meth and MDMA, which took a toll on him, Mr Whitten said.

Karami had been diagnosed with PTSD and depression.

Funeral of murdered couple Julie Anne and John Karami at Redcliffe in Aug, 2000. Pic Bruce Long

He had worked in various roles including hospitality, landscaping and farm work.

Covid had caused him to fall back into drug use, and he had been in and out of custody between then and now.

He had used his time in custody as productively as possible, Mr Whitten said.

Judge Terry Gardiner said Karami had lost his mother and stepmother when they were murdered when he was 9.

He accepted Karami had endured a prejudicial upbringing and had developed PTSD from the trauma he had experienced.

Karami was given a head sentence of 18 months in prison and the time he had spent in custody was declared as time served.

He walked free from court on Wednesday.

Originally published as Nathan Karami in court for trying to pervert justice