Peter James Idai sentenced in Townsville District Court for breaking woman’s hand

A father and serial domestic violence offender was sentenced after breaking the mother of his children’s hand in an alcohol-fuelled argument.

Peter James Idai from the Ingham Magistrate’s Court Picture: CAMERON BATES

A man broke the hand of the mother of his children in a violent, alcohol-fuelled assault while their kids were in the house.

Peter James Idai was drunk when he went to the woman’s home on December 18, 2023 and an argument broke out, crown prosecutor Ashley Gaden said.

She said the pair had been in a relationship and shared three children, but weren’t together at the time of the assault.

Neighbours reported hearing Idai smash items and call her a “sl-t” and “c-nt” before a woman yelled “help me”.

“She needed to put her arms up to protect herself,” Ms Gaden said.

The 28-year-old man grabbed the woman’s arm and twisted it, resulting in her hand breaking while their children were in the house but not in the same room.

Ms Gaden told the court that Idai had an eight-page criminal history which consisted of domestic violence and public nuisance offending.

“He is of high-risk of perpetrating domestic violence,” she said.

Defence barrister Tom Hancock, instructed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Legal Services, said his client explained he witnessed “significant family violence” while growing up.

Mr Hancock said due to his client’s history he had to be sentenced to at least two years jail, but the offending itself was an “alcohol-fuelled argument” that was at the lower end of assault offences.

Judge Christopher Kahler said it was evident Idai was “entrenched” in domestic violent behaviours and in a report that was prepared prior to his sentence, he showed that he often blamed victims and “minimised” his actions.

“It seems you are not getting the message… that your behaviour and continued pattern of offending will continue landing you in trouble and in custody,” His Honour said.

Idai pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.

He was sentenced to two and a half years’ jail, with an immediate parole release day as the 16 months he spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time already served.

Originally published as Peter James Idai sentenced in Townsville District Court for breaking woman’s hand