Domestic violence: 5 Gladstone offenders given suspended jail sentences or parole
Amid passionate debate about domestic violence penalties, recent cases in this Central Queensland court show that even when jail sentences are imposed, offenders can still walk free. LIST.
Police & Courts
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From a man who threatened to kick his pregnant ex in the stomach, to another who labelled his partner a “parasite”, violent offenders continue to walk through the revolving doors of Central Queensland’s courts.
Amid campaigns and public debates about the punishment for perpetrators of domestic violence, this publication has covered multiple recent cases where jail sentences were imposed but either wholly suspended or handed down with immediate parole.
Here are five recent confronting examples from Gladstone Magistrates Court.
*Names withheld in accordance with Queensland law.
May, 2023
Man, 40 called partner ‘parasite’
A Gladstone region man, who called his partner a “parasite” and a “s —t c —t” before threatening to kill himself, was given a jail sentence for repeat domestic violence offending.
The 47-year-old pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on May 31 to two counts of contravening a domestic violence order (aggravated offences).
The court heard the incidents happened at Boyne Island.
It was told that police had seen text messages which the man had sent the aggrieved woman in which he called her a “parasite” and a “s —t c —t.”
The court also heard the man sent the woman text messages in which he threatened to kill himself.
A solicitor said the man’s relationship with the aggrieved woman had ended as a result of these latest incidents.
Acting Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced the man to three months’ jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of 12 months.
Convictions were recorded. Read the full story here.
Man, 30 breached order three times
A repeat domestic violence offender, who police said showed “general defiance” of court orders, was given a jail sentence in May.
The 30-year-old, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court on May 10 where he pleaded guilty to three counts of contravening a domestic violence order (aggravated offences), contravening a police direction, obstructing police, and breaching bail.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said on April 11, the man came to the attention of police after he was involved in a loud argument at the victim’s residence.
Sergeant Hoskins said the order that was in place prohibited the man from attending that residence, and it also stated that he was not to approach, nor contact, the victim.
He said while the man was at the residence, he “stood over” the victim’s father and her sister and was yelling.
The prosecutor said after police arrived, the man gave them a false name.
The court heard that police tried to “calm things down” at the scene, but the man attempted to push past them and he “shaped up” to officers.
Acting Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced the man to three months’ jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of 15 months.
She also fined him $250 and convictions were recorded. Read the full story here.
April, 2023
Woman had “substantial history” of breaches
A Gladstone region woman with a “substantial” history of domestic violence breaches was given a jail sentence in April for her latest offending.
The woman, who by law cannot be named, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on April 24 to contravening a domestic violence order (aggravated offence).
The court heard the order in place contained conditions which prevented the woman from approaching or contacting her aggrieved ex-partner, with some exceptions relating to their children.
It was told the woman’s offending happened in the Gladstone region.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Griffiths said that at 9pm on April 8, police found the woman and the aggrieved man in a car together and there were no children present.
Sgt Griffiths said when being questioned by police, the woman got angry at them and yelled “non-specific” insults.
She was subsequently arrested, taken to a police watch-house and charged.
Acting Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced the woman to one month jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of 12 months.
A conviction was recorded. Read the full story here.
*Age not published for legal reasons
Man, 23, threatened to kick pregnant ex in stomach
A man called his pregnant ex-partner a slut and threatened to kick her in the stomach in a shocking case of domestic violence in the Gladstone region.
The 23-year-old man, who by law cannot be named, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court on April 5 where he pleaded guilty to contravening a domestic violence order.
The court heard the aggrieved in this matter was the man’s ex-partner and she was pregnant with his child.
Police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said on the afternoon of March 13, the man called the woman seven times.
Ms Leach said that during the calls, the man verbally abused the woman, calling her “a slut”, and one of the comments he made to her was: “I’m going to kick you in the guts.”
Acting Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced the man to three months’ jail wholly suspended for an operational period of 18 months.
A conviction was recorded. Read the full story here.
March
Man, 46 on 20th DV charge
A man was given a jail sentence after he faced a Gladstone court for his 20th domestic violence offence.
The 46-year-old pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on March 15 to contravening a domestic violence order.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Griffiths said that on December 4 last year, police were called to a domestic disturbance at Gladstone where the man attended the aggrieved woman’s residence.
The court heard the order in place prevented him from being there.
Sgt Griffiths said the man yelled at the woman and kicked a door.
Acting Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced the man to six months’ jail with immediate parole.
A conviction was recorded. Read the full story here.
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