Victim of Antony Leslie Fallows’ DV assault tells her story

A Qld woman who was subjected to shocking domestic violence by a once-respected drought charity founder has spoken candidly about the devastating ways the attack has changed her life.

A woman’s victim impact statement has been heard in a Gladstone court after she was assaulted by her then partner. Generic image.

“I would like you to hear my victim impact statement.”

Those were the words of the 57-year-old Gladstone woman who suffered a shocking domestic violence assault at the hands of drought charity founder Antony Leslie Fallows, 62.

Fallows was jailed after pleading guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence offence).

He’d hurt his victim so badly, she suffered fractured bones – all because she accidentally knocked a photo frame.

Prior to Fallows being sentenced, the woman’s victim impact statement was read to the court by police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins.

In the statement, the woman said she was once a confident, outgoing and cheerful woman.

She said her friends and family always told her how much they loved her outgoing, positive, happy, and humorous personality – and how much they miss “the old me”.

“I miss the old me,” the woman said.

“My family and friends are now having to constantly reassure me that things are going to be okay and will get better – just to take baby steps day-by-day and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel that I am walking through.

“I pray that will happen soon.”

The woman said she hoped to again feel happy, have confidence, feel safe, be able to trust, and even have a future relationship with a man.

“Every day I feel like I’m on an emotional roller coaster ride that I can’t get off,” she said.

“I’m suffering from, and being treated for, anxiety, depression, insomnia, low self-esteem, high risk of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I see a psychologist as much as I can.”

Gladstone Courthouse.

The woman said when the offence happened, she was “in total shock and feared for my life.”

“I felt like he hadn’t stopped the attack.

“I also felt I wasn’t supported or helped by the authorities at the time.

“I felt degraded and unimportant.”

The woman said since the attack, she didn’t feel safe.

“I’ve had to install security doors and cameras.

“I check and double-check everything is always locked.

“I have panic attacks when I hear a noise.

“I’m constantly looking out my window when I hear a car come down my street.

“No-one should have to live like this in fear of their life.”

The woman said she was currently on a mental health plan due to the constant trauma and nightmares she has.

She said she could not go out by herself, and she feared her attacker may be watching her.

“I have trouble breathing at times.”

The woman said her ongoing health issues forced her to constantly see a doctor.

“I constantly break down at times due to this fear I feel.

“I’m unable to work due to my physical and mental health.”

She said because of this, she had experienced financial hardship and sometimes had to rely on family and friends.

“This is not how I imagined my life to be at this stage of my life.”

Originally published as Victim of Antony Leslie Fallows’ DV assault tells her story