Ryan James Franssen sentenced in Southport District Court for charges of threatening violence, assault

A mines worker filmed himself pouring ‘water’ from a jerry can through his ex-partner’s house before telling her he would burn it down if she didn’t come home.

A MINES worker filmed himself pouring “water” from a jerry can through his ex-partner’s house before telling her he would burn it down if she didn’t come home.

The 29-year-old also stalked the mother-of-four for a month, until he broke into her house and assaulted her and another man.

Ryan James Franssen, 29, pleaded guilty in Southport District Court to threatening violence, unlawful stalking, common assault and assault occasioning bodily harm, after subjecting the woman to “serious” acts of domestic violence between August 31 and November 25, 2020.

The court was told Franssen had been in a relationship with the woman for 11 months, before it broke down in August 2020.

The woman was subjected to violent threats and stalking.

Crown prosecutor Mitch Whelan said the crimes began after she returned from a weekend away with her children in an attempt to avoid conflict with Franssen.

“While she was sitting in her car at the shops the defendant tried to call her but she didn’t answer,” Mr Whelan said.

Ryan James Franssen has been sentenced in Southport District Court. Photos Scott Fletcher

“He then sent a series of videos to her that showed him pouring water from a jerry can over her car, the front door, and furniture in the kitchen.

“The complainant thought it was petrol.

“He also sent text messages saying ‘everything’s going to go, you want me to be the monster you make me out to be, I will show you. You’ve got 10 minutes to get home or I’ll burn the house down’.”

The court heard Franssen also stalked the woman for about a month. He approached her at court, waited outside her solicitor’s office, and went to her home.

On November 25 he entered the woman’s house through the garage while she was home with another man.

Franssen attacked the man, punching him a number of times.

The court was told Franssen then assaulted the woman and dragged her to the kitchen.

He picked up a knife in a threatening matter and barrelled her into his car. She was able to escape.

The woman suffered bruising to the head and body.

Judge Katherine McGinness jailed Franssen for three years with immediate parole, taking into account the 426 days he had already spent in custody.

She said the violence in the woman’s own home was particularly serious.

“She was entitled to feel safe and secure there (at home),” she said.

Defence Barrister Matt Hynes said his client was not a danger to the community and had been in “uncontroversial” relationships in the past.

He said Franssen was from a good home and people closest to him described him as loving and caring.

“His criminal history only commenced at the time when the relationship between he and this complainant was breaking down and the stresses were upon him,” he said.

Mr Hynes said his client had been seeing a psychologist and had worked to ensure the offending would not be repeated.

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