Cairns crime: Jail time for Gausa Aziel Barkley on string of DV offences

A District Court judge warned a man who has twice been convicted of domestic violence offences to mend his ways or forfeit the right to see his child.

A man convicted of on seven domestic violence-related offences described by the prosecutor as “absolutely deplorable” was back before Cairns District Court for breaching his suspended sentence and probation order.

Gausa Aziel Barkley was sentenced for 11 further DV offences that occurred in January and February in Cairns Magistrates Court on April 4, before his appearance before Judge John Coker in Cairns District Court on June 20.

Barkley, 23, had 305 days in pre-sentence custody before appearing last June and Judge Paul Smith was critical that Barkley had not been able to access anger management and other courses because as a prisoner on remand he was not eligible for them.

At that appearance, Barkley received a suspended sentence of two-and-a-half years with strict orders to undergo counselling and probation orders of two years.

Gausa Aziel Barkley’s suspended sentence was activated when he was convicted of 11 domestic violence offences in April.

He was in custody for 127 days ahead of this appearance.

Judge Coker activated four months of the period not yet served and set a parole release date of October 9.

“To be frank, my impression so far is that you have failed to take any opportunity to deal with the demons at play in your life,” Judge Coker said.

“Your barrister tells me you are ashamed of these offences, as you should be … it was similar offending perpetrated on the same person.

“You really have blown it so far, and it is a tragedy,” he said.

“You really have failed to take any of the opportunities given to you, and you need to change the direction of your life or you will have nothing to do with your child.”

Last June, Barkley pleaded guilty to one charge of choking, two charges of common assault and four counts of contravening a domestic violence order.

Originally published as Cairns crime: Jail time for Gausa Aziel Barkley on string of DV offences