Didier Lam Kee Shau has appeal bid dismissed over terrifying attack on pregnant wife
A man caught on camera launching a sickening attack on his pregnant wife at a Melbourne service station claimed his five-year jail term was “excessive” — but appeal judges disagreed.
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A man caught on camera launching a sickening attack on his pregnant wife at a Melbourne service station has claimed his five-year jail term was “excessive”.
Didier Lam Kee Shau, 39, punched, kicked and dragged his victim by the hair, before stomping on her head throughout the onslaught at the Mount Waverley Caltex on September 17, 2018.
When the service station worker locked the doors to keep him out after his wife sought refuge inside, Shau drove their Honda SUV through the glass wall of the store.
The console operator was forced to jump out of the way, narrowly avoiding being hit by the vehicle.
Shau pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury, reckless conduct endangering life and failing to provide a breath sample.
County Court judge Richard Smith, in May last year, sentenced him to five years jail, setting a non-parole period of 3 ½ years, remarking it was a miracle his victim was not more seriously injured.
The court heard he was drunk and that the couple had been at a family gathering celebrating his niece’s first communion.
They left the party after he became argumentative with other family members, but on the drive home, Shau turned on his wife, who was 18 weeks pregnant, calling her “a stupid f---” and “you’re not worth anything, even worth a baby”.
When he started punching her, causing blood to pour from her nose, she pulled into the service station, jumping out and screaming “help me, help me please”.
As she ran towards the service station, Shau chased her down, grabbing her by the hair and pulling her to the ground, where he smashed her head into the concrete.
She curled up into a ball to try and protect her unborn child.
Shau, a Mauritius-born chef who moved to Australia in 2002, had argued he deserved a discount for his remorse, early guilty plea and otherwise good character.
He appealed his punishment, arguing Judge Smith had dished out a “manifestly excessive” sentence that had not taken the principle of totality into proper consideration.
Dismissing his appeal, Court of Appeal judge Phillip Priest found the sentence “stern” but said it was not outside the appropriate range.
Shau will be eligible for parole as early as March 2022.
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