‘Come back here and I’ll slit your throat’: Man’s ‘despicable’ texts before attacking ex-partner
A man sent vile messages to his ex-partner – threatening to kill her and police – before he violently punched and choked her.
A Queensland fitness coach who bombarded his ex-partner with disturbing messages – threatening to kill her and police – before viciously attacking her has been lashed for his “despicable, nasty and mean” behaviour by a judge.
Joshua Colin Giffin’s vile messages continued for hours after the woman left his apartment late at night and stayed in the lobby out of fear of returning to her room.
Brisbane District Court was told Giffin, 33, then went downstairs just before midnight and launched into the savage bashing.
“She still has fears for her safety and for the safety of other women who may come into contact with the defendant,” Crown prosecutor Elise Adams said while reading from the woman’s victim impact statement.
The victim sat in the back of the court during Wednesday’s proceedings, staring down a suited Giffin as he was escorted into the dock.
Ms Adams said the woman left his apartment on February 6, 2022, after an argument erupted.
The court was told Giffin and the woman were living in separate bedrooms of the same apartment at the time, but she confided she wanted the relationship to end because she was “scared” of him.
Ms Adams said Giffin sent abusive messages over three hours.
He told her to “pack your f--king sh-t up” and warned: “Come back here and I’ll slit your f--king throat”.
When she said she would be calling police, Giffin threatened to kill them too.
Giffin then confronted her in the lobby at 11.45pm.
After taking a swing and missing, he grabbed her around the neck and squeezed tightly.
The victim struggled to breathe before Giffin raised a hand and caused her to flinch before he said: “Yeah you’re scared now you fat sl-t.”
Ms Adams said Giffin then punched the woman in the head twice, leaving a large lump.
The entire attack was captured on CCTV, the court was told.
During the initial argument, Giffin had also punched holes in a wall, the court was told.
Defence barrister Daniel Boddice said his client was in the grips of a number of mental health and substance abuse disorders at the time of the offending.
Mr Boddice said he wasn’t trying to excuse Giffin’s behaviour as “not abhorrent” but submitted it was his first time charged with such serious violent offences.
“He has otherwise had a good employment history,” he said.
Giffin had entered an early plea of guilty but it was in the context of a “strong” Crown case, Ms Adams said.
The court was told Giffin was seeking help for his substance abuse and ways to deal with his emotional issues and his handling of relationships.
District Court judge Geraldine Dann said his behaviour was “despicable, nasty and mean” and he had no one to blame but himself for his actions.
“It was protracted and vicious,” he said.
Giffin was given a head sentence of two years and nine months, with parole eligibility in March.