David Lenin Tyrone Yasserie sentenced in Townsville Magistrate Court for hitting partner with metal pole

A 20-year-old with a violent history made a desperate bid to flee after police noticed something wrong with his partner. Here’s what happened.

David Lenin Tyrone Yasserie was sentenced in Townsville Magistrate Court for attacking his partner with a metal pole during a social media argument Picture: iStock

A 20-year-old man has been jailed after attacking his former partner with a metal pole during an argument over her social media accounts.

David Lenin Tyrone Yasserie appeared via videolink in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday, following a desperate attempt to evade police by jumping into neighbouring yards.

Police prosecutor Catherine Elkins told the court the confrontation began when Yasserie demanded his ex-partner delete her social media accounts.

“As she attempted to leave the room to get her phone, (Yasserie) who was standing in the bedroom door wouldn’t allow her to leave,” she said.

“Then she’s made further attempts to leave and (he) has hit her on her right arm with a sawn off metal pole.”

The victim sustained a small cut and swelling to her arm and later left the house with Yasserie.

When police arrived, officers noticed the injury.

Yasserie attempted to flee the scene by jumping into nearby yards but was eventually caught.

At the time of the incident, Yasserie was already on probation and the court heard he had a significant history of violent behaviour, despite his young age.

A lawyer from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service represented Yasserie, explaining that his behaviour had deteriorated following the death of his grandmother — his sole guardian — in 2019.

“In his words, he went off the rails at that point,” she said.

However, she said Yasserie had plans to return to Palm Island to take care of his grandfather when he gets released.

Acting magistrate Raimund Heggie condemned Yasserie’s actions, noting that his sentence would reflect the community’s intolerance for domestic violence.

Yasserie pleaded guilty to contravening a probation order, assault occasioning bodily harm, a domestic violence offence, and trespassing.

He was sentenced to 15 months jail with a parole release date set immediately.

The 83 days he spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served and convictions were recorded.

Originally published as David Lenin Tyrone Yasserie sentenced in Townsville Magistrate Court for hitting partner with metal pole