Robert Bauer sentenced for Rockhampton DV assaults

Details of how a Central Queensland diesel mechanic from a “close-knit family” subjected a woman to domestic violence assaults have been heard during his sentencing in court.

Robert Kenneth Bauer, 30, was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to charges including two counts of common assault (domestic violence offences). Generic image.

A Central Queensland diesel mechanic’s battles with methamphetamine have been laid bare during his sentencing for domestic violence assaults.

Robert Kenneth Bauer, 30, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to charges including two counts of common assault (domestic violence offences).

The court heard the victim of the assaults was the same woman.

It was told that about 12.30pm on December 26 last year, the woman went to Bauer’s residence at Rockhampton to collect her dog which he had been looking after.

She knocked on the door but there was no answer so she went around to the rear of the house.

There, she was confronted by Bauer who “charged towards her” while yelling, the court heard.

The woman attempted to back away but Bauer grabbed her by the arm and a scuffle ensued, which caused her to fall to the ground.

The court heard Bauer then “stood over her” and pinned her legs down with his knees “restricting her movement.”

He repeatedly asked the woman “why do you do this to me, I love you.”

During the incident, the woman suffered a grazed knee.

When she got free, she took her dog and returned to her car to leave.

Bauer approached the car and forced the window down.

The woman told him to let her leave and to get out of the way so she could.

Gladstone Courthouse.

The court heard Bauer refused to let her go and made gestures to hit her car, at one stage kicking the car door.

Then, while the woman was sitting in the driver’s seat, Bauer reached in, grabbed her neck and jaw and put his hand over her mouth.

His hand was over her mouth for about 30 seconds, restricting her breathing.

The offending occurred while Bauer was subject to a parole order.

He had a four-page criminal history which included drug offending and police prosecutor Brandon Selic said these latest offences were “an escalation” for Bauer.

Solicitor Stephen White said Bauer was a diesel mechanic who “fell into a pattern of drug use” in his late teens.

“It did not stop him from completing his apprenticeship but it has been, nevertheless, an ongoing problem,” Mr White said.

“I am instructed however, he is clean (of methamphetamine) since August of last year... just before he went into custody.”

Mr White said Bauer’s prospect of rehabilitation was “extremely strong” and his sister was in court to support him.

“He comes from a very close-knit family - his parents are very supportive.”

Prior to imposing penalty, Magistrate Mary Buchanan said this was “serious offending”.

She sentenced Bauer to nine months’ jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of 15 months.

She noted Bauer had spent 132 days in pre-sentence custody but she did not declare that.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Robert Bauer sentenced for Rockhampton DV assaults