Douglas Ian Gleeson charged with choking, driving unlicensed

An ex-barber charged with choking his partner and driving without a licence is expected to head to trial over the allegations as his barrister questions the strength of the police’s case.

Douglas Jan Gleeson appeared via videolink in the Bundaberg Courthouse on Wednesday, November 8.

A former Bundaberg barber has appeared in court in a bid for bail amid allegations he put his partner in a headlock and threw her to the ground.

Douglas Jan Gleeson appeared via video link in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Wednesday October 8, 2023 in an effort to seek his release from custody.

He has been charged with one count of choking, suffocation, strangulation in a domestic violence relationship, and two counts of driving with a disqualified licence.

Barrister Matt Maloy, appearing for Mr Gleeson, questioned the strength of the police prosecution’s case claiming there was no independent evidence to support it.

“The only evidence that police appear to be relying on is a notebook statement from the (complainant),” Mr Maloy said.

“There is medical evidence but that medical evidence is what the (complainant) told medical practitioners, there’s no independent evidence at all.”

Matt Maloy of Maloy Law, Bundaberg.

Reading from a report of the Queensland Ambulance Service respondents who first saw the alleged victim at the scene, Mr Maloy told the court there was “nil obvious trauma to neck region, nil bruising, nil abrasions”.

Mr Gleeson is alleged to have placed the woman in a headlock from behind, before throwing her to the ground the court heard.

Mr Maloy told the court, Mr Gleeson and the complainant had a complex relationship which included previous cases of aggression from them both.

He disputed the police prosecution’s claim the complainant passed out as a result of the suffocation.

“The objection to bail speaks a number of times about the aggrieved losing consciousness, but that’s not what she states,” Mr Maloy said.

“She said the highest she takes it is she ‘saw some stars.’”

Ian Gleeson appeared via video link in the Bundaberg Court House.

Mr Maloy went further to claim a police officers summary of video footage depicting the aggrieved and the alleged was a “colourful” rendition of events captured.

“That video shows Mr Gleeson and shows the aggrieved in the far corner of the room … he gets to the door, he could still be some 3m on my estimate away from the aggrieved,” he said.

“She advances on him, threatening to cut him, he backs away and she continues to advance on him.”

“It certainly seems noted by investigating police that the aggrieved threatened to cut my client.”

Leon Casey appeared as prosecution and disputed the bail application, and told the court Mr Gleeson had six previous bail breaches on his criminal history which included significant drug offences, stealing, burglary and wilful damage.

Magistrate John McInnes accepted Mr Casey’s submission, though granted bail on the conditions Mr Gleeson reside at a Brisbane address and not return to Bundaberg unless for court matters.

His charges will be mentioned again in the Bundaberg Courthouse on November 29, 2023, and are expected to proceed to trial.

Originally published as Douglas Ian Gleeson charged with choking, driving unlicensed