Tyson Anau David, 46, sentenced for domestic violence assault

A 46-year-old Thursday Island man, with a history of domestic violence, has been sentenced after he attempted to push a woman off a balcony and spat on her.

A 46-year-old Thursday Island man, with a history of domestic violence, has been sentenced after he attempted to push a woman off a balcony and spat on her. Stock image

A 46-year-old man, with a history of domestic violence, has been jailed after he attempted to push his partner off a balcony and spat on her.

Tyson Anau David, of Thursday Island, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for domestic violence common assault after he pleaded guilty in Cairns Magistrates Court this week.

Police prosecutor Tara Nona told the court David had “attempted to push her off a balcony” during an argument in November last year.

“She was able to dodge this push but he again pushed her and she grabbed onto a railing to stop herself from falling,” she said.

Ms Nona also told the court David verbally abused her and spat at her during the assault.

“During the assault she had fears for her safety aggravated by recent history which included eight common assault charges.”

Tyson Anau David, of Thursday Island, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for domestic violence common assault after he pleaded guilty in Cairns Magistrates Court this week.

Ms Nona revealed a long history of domestic violence offending towards the victim which included smashing up her home and punches the victim’s face.

Magistrate James Morton said David had “all the niceties given to him” in the form of community based orders “but continued to offend on all orders given to him”.

Mr Morton said he had separately sentenced the accused for harassing people on a flight from Brisbane to Cairns.

Mr Morton noted this was the third time he had been before the court for domestic violence offending against the same woman.

“She must be pretty good at dodging punches,” he said.

David’s defence counsel James Ellis-Smith conceded his client’s history was an ‘aggravating’ factor, telling the court he had little memory of the incident and a history of alcoholism.

“It is an addiction that has gripped him his whole life and at points drank a five-litre cask of wine each day,” he said.

“This is the route cause of his offending.

“He is embarrassed by his actions when he is on the grog.”

Mr Morton said the community was sick and tired of seeing these cases where women and children are victimised.

“The court has got to speak and it has got to be loud,” he said.

David was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment with a parole release date of February 12 2025 with 55 days already served in custody since his arrest.

Originally published as Tyson Anau David, 46, sentenced for domestic violence assault