Convicted sex offender Peter Andrew Midgley Ipswich, sentenced for domestic violence

A convicted child sex offender has been praised for his “dedicated” parenting as he faced a South East Queensland court today for a violent attack on his own uncle where he pinned him to the ground by sitting on him.

Peter Andrew Midgley, 35, leaves Ipswich Court on October 17, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

An Ipswich man has returned to court for a violent attack on his uncle, over a decade after he was convicted for a child sex offence.

Redbank resident Peter Andrew Midgley, 35, pleaded guilty at Ipswich District Court on October 17, 2023, to assault occasioning bodily harm (DV), wilful damage (DV), producing dangerous drugs (cannabis), and obstructing police.

The court heard Midgley assaulted his uncle in Redbank on June 3 last year over a rental dispute.

Crown prosecutor Luke Smoothy said the two had been drinking with others, and noted Midgley had been “quite intoxicated”.

The two of them had been living together at the time, but the uncle had been struggling to pay rent, the court heard.

Crown prosecutor Luke Smoothy said a verbal argument between Midgley and his uncle on the night in question had “quickly escalated”.

Midgley had headbutted his uncle, creating a “cracking sound” and causing a fracture to his cheekbone.

The uncle tried to run away, but Midgley re-engaged him.

Mr Smoothy said the uncle punched Midgley, who then threw a pot plant at his car – smashing the windscreen – in retaliation.

Police were called as the altercation continued, and they found Midgley sitting on top of his uncle when they arrived.

Peter Andrew Midgley, 35, leaves Ipswich Court on October 17, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

The court heard Midgley was aggressive towards police, who located two cannabis plants in his home at the time.

Defence barrister Emma Thorsen said her client had felt frustrated as he was covering the entirety of their rent with his own disability support pension – while also financially supporting his 17-year-old son.

Midgley had received the pension for an intellectual disability, the court heard.

Ms Thorsen suggested the uncle had played an “active role in the struggle” and further alleged he had also engaged in a separate physical altercation with another individual present that night.

Ms Thorsen tendered references from Midgley’s friends and family, which she said spoke highly of him and his “dedicated relationship” with his 17-year-old son.

Chief Judge Brian Devereaux said Midgley’s criminal history did not paint him as a generally violent person.

But he said Midgley had been sentenced to jail in 2012 for maintaining a sexual relationship with a child.

The court heard Midgley had been in his early twenties when he impregnated the teenage girl.

Ms Thorsen noted the 17-year-old child was not from that relationship.

Judge Devereaux accepted Midgley as genuinely remorseful for the assault on his uncle.

He sentenced Midgley to 18 months imprisonment, with immediate parole release and three days of presentence custody declared as time-served.

Originally published as Convicted sex offender Peter Andrew Midgley Ipswich, sentenced for domestic violence