Matthew Jon Davies strangled partner and threatened mum with ‘hideous behaviour’

A carpet cleaner and car detailer strangled his partner and threatened his mother with a rubber mallet during months of “hideous behaviour”. Find out what led to the horrifying attack.

A carpet cleaner and car detailer strangled his partner and threatened his mother with a rubber mallet during months of “hideous behaviour”.

Matthew Jon Davies was living with his mother as her carer when he attacked her and his fiance.

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court on Tuesday to multiple charges including strangulation, assault occasioning bodily harm, assault of a person over 60, stealing and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Judge Michael Williamson sentenced him to three years’ prison to be released on parole on May 30. He has been in custody since May 31 last year.

“There were months of hideous behaviour (to your fiance) and in respect of your mother – the treatment of her – who you were caring for was beyond appalling,” he said.

The court was told the worst of the attacks was on May 17 last year when Davies was living with his mother and fiance in Elanora.

The couple were there to care for Davies’ mother.

The fiance was drawing a bath when Davies came up behind her, startling her.

He called her a “dumb f***ing slut” before saying “you think you are f***ing tough”.

Davies then headbutted her, causing her nose to bleed on to the carpet.

He threatened to kill her, told her to clean the carpet and “stop ruining his house”.

The next day, after discovering the fiancé’s injuries, Davies’ mother told him to move out.

Davies refused.

Days later the fiance made food for him.

He threw it at the wall and abused her because he was not hungry.

During that she told him sarcastically: “Just another day in paradise.”

Davies then attacked her, grabbing her throat and squeezing for about 15 seconds.

The fiance went downstairs and told Davies’ mother in a coded way what had happened.

Davies threatened to kill the fiancé’s parents if she called the police.

He threw a chair at his mother, punched a hole in the wall and threatened her by holding a rubber mallet under her chin.

Davies’ mother told him: “Go ahead, I’m sick of you.”

The fiance tried to pack a bag to escape but Davies heard.

She managed to convince him she was going outside to drive him to Cash Converters and alerted a neighbour.

The neighbour told building management who came to the front door, saw the woman’s injuries and called police.

The court was told Davies was also caught by PolAir driving down the M1 at about 140km/h. He got out at Mudgeeraba and threatened a female business associate with a bat.

Defence barrister Malcolm Harrison, instructed by Vered Turner Lawyers, said Davies struggled with drug addiction.

He said Davies had owned his own carpet cleaning and car detailing business before it was “destroyed by drugs”.

He said Davies was remorseful for his actions.

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