Michael William Fleming in Gladstone court for assaulting woman

Police found a woman “covered in blood” after a man with a history of violence offences assaulted her with a coffee cup at her Central Queensland home.

A man has faced court after assaulting a woman with a coffee cup at her Central Queensland home. Generic image.

A man with a history of violence offences has faced court after he assaulted a woman with a coffee cup at her Central Queensland home.

Michael William Fleming, 36, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court on November 15 where he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence offence) and wilful damage.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Griffiths said on October 16, a heavily intoxicated Fleming damaged a door to get into the female victim’s residence.

Sergeant Griffiths said Fleming had an argument with another person inside the home and threw a coffee cup, not aimed at the victim, but it hit her in the head, causing a facial injury.

“When police spoke to the victim, she was disorientated and confused, and she was covered in blood,” Sergeant Griffiths said.

“(Fleming) does have a history of threats and violence - he has previously been afforded probation and he has been sentenced to terms of imprisonment for offences involving violence.”

Gladstone Courthouse.

The court heard that Fleming had a nine-page criminal history which included grievous bodily harm and common assault offences.

Solicitor Cam Schroder said Fleming intended to undergo further counselling including anger management.

“It would appear, looking at his criminal history, when there is that suspended sentence hanging over his head, he does behave,” Mr Schroder said.

Before handing down penalty, Magistrate Mary Buchanan noted that Fleming’s criminal history was “littered with” offences of violence.

She sentenced him to four months’ jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of 18 months, and declared 30 days in pre-sentence custody as time already served.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Michael William Fleming in Gladstone court for assaulting woman