Councillor Nicole Jonic’s husband Julian fronts Ipswich Court for assault charge

An Ipswich City councillor husband has been accused of repeatedly punching a man and hurling racial insults at his partner in retaliation after the other man allegedly “had a go” at his wife, a court has heard. VIDEO

A Southeast Queensland councillor’s husband is on track for trial off the back of allegations he punched a man who allegedly insulted his wife.

At a hearing today for Julian Mark Jonic — husband of Ipswich councillor Nicole Jonic — Ipswich Magistrates’ Court heard testimony from the alleged victim, who accused Mr Jonic of hurling racial insults at his own partner in turn.

Mr Jonic, 45 of Goodna, stands charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

Mr Jonic is husband to Ipswich Division 2 Councillor Nicole Jonic. There is no suggestion Ms Jonic was involved in the alleged incident.

Police allege Mr Jonic assaulted Kelvin James John McElhenny on March 24, 2022, in Goodna.

The court heard testimony from both McElhenny and his partner at Mr Jonic’s hearing.

Mr McElhenny testified that Mr Jonic had come up to his car on March 24 and reached inside to switch it off.

He said Mr Jonic had then grabbed his beard and punched him repeatedly in the face.

Julian Mark Jonic (wearing black suit and sunglasses) leaves Ipswich Court on October 4, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Defence barrister Tim Ryan asked Mr McElhenny whether he agreed that when Mr Jonic first approached, he had said “something to (Mr McElhenny) about calling his missus a f —king sl-t”.

Mr McElhenny denied insulting Nicole Jonic prior to the alleged assault, and said he could not remember Mr Jonic saying that to him.

The court heard Mr McElhenny had told a police officer at the time “I haven’t abused f —king anyone”.

Mr McElhenny told the court he “didn’t believe” he had “abused” Ms Jonic.

By Mr McElhenny’s account in court, Mr Jonic had simply asked whether he owned a LandCruiser and whether he was “tied up with One Nation” — which he said he denied.

“I’m not a political person really,” he said.

He admitted later however, to calling Ms Jonic a “f —king mole” about a month prior to the alleged assault.

He said that was only after he was called a “f —king d —khead” – but did not specify in his evidence who by.

Nicole and Julian Jonic in front of their 1971 Ford Falcon XY GT. Picture: FILE

Mr McElhenny further accused Mr Jonic of subjecting his own partner to “racial vilification”.

He said Mr Jonic had called his partner names prior to and during the alleged assault including “black wh-re” and “filthy black c---”.

He said he could not “completely” remember what was said because he had been “trying to dodge punches and stuff”.

“He was swearing and stuff; I was swearing and stuff too sir,” Mr McElhenny told the court.

Mr Ryan noted the racial accusations were not a part of Mr McElhenny’s initial statement to police.

He said Mr McElhenny had only brought the racial accusations to the prosecution the day prior to the hearing.

Mr McElhenny said he believed he had told police at the time that there had been racial comments made, and said he didn’t know why that detail was not in his statement.

“I was a bit dazed and confused,” Mr McElhenny said.

“I had blood all over my face, I had blood in my eyes.”

Mr McElhenny said he didn’t realise the details weren’t included at the time, but noticed yesterday afternoon (October 3) when re-reading his statement and approached prosecution about it then.

Mr Ryan accused Mr McElhenny of “adding to it (his evidence) overnight”.

Mr McElhenny responded: “I don’t understand why it wasn’t in here to start with sir”.

Julian Mark Jonic (wearing black suit and sunglasses) leaves Ipswich Court on October 4, 2023, with his lawyers. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Mr Ryan asked Mr McElhenny’s partner Reema Louise Benson whether she recalled Mr Jonic saying “you had a go at my missus Nicole Jonic, you called her names”.

She said in her evidence before the court that she did not remember that.

Mr Ryan noted Ms Benson’s statement to police read: “the man then said something to Kelvin about calling his partner names”.

Ms Benson clarified that “inappropriate words” were said.

Mr Ryan continued reading: “Kelvin said then ‘I didn’t call her any names, she called me a f —king idiot’”.

Ms Benson agreed that was correct.

She said she saw Mr Jonic punch Mr McElhenny and that she was punched in the arm also “in the heat of the moment”.

The court heard this was the first time she had ever made such an allegation.

Mr Ryan asked her why she hadn’t said anything, and she responded “what for?”.

Ms Benson also said in her evidence Mr Jonic had called her a “black dog” and “black b —ch” but that she had never spoken to police or prosecution about it.

“What are they going to do about it,” she said.

Mr Ryan asked whether she was “picking and choosing” what she said to police, and she responded that she had simply told them what they asked her.

Mr Ryan suggested she was “changing [her] story” and she denied this.

After the witnesses finished giving evidence, Magistrate Melanie Ho proceeded to formally commit the matter to the Ipswich District Court.

Mr Jonic opted not to enter a plea at that stage.

Ms Ho said the matter would proceed to trial at a date yet to be determined.

Mr Jonic was granted bail on his own undertaking.

When questioned by The Queensland Times, Mr Jonic offered no comment.

The Queensland Times reached out to the Ipswich City Council and Ms Jonic for comment, and they also offered no comment at this time.

Originally published as Councillor Nicole Jonic’s husband Julian fronts Ipswich Court for assault charge