Mackay man threatens ex with self harm after kids plan Brisbane move

A Queensland man who sent abusive messages to an ex-partner threatening both her and his own life has faced court.

The man left a number of threatening voicemails. Generic image.

A Mackay man risked jail time for leaving his ex-partner drunken voicemails screaming “it’s war time now”, “I’m coming after you”, and calling her “f---ing scum”.

The 33-year-old man’s abusive texts and voicemails seriously breached a domestic violence protection order made two years earlier.

His lawyer told Mackay Magistrates Court his threatening behaviour was triggered when his kids told him they planned to move to Brisbane, where his ex now lives.

McKay’s Solicitors associate Jordana Abela said her client struggled with bipolar and intermittent explosive disorder.

“He clearly needs some assistance in regards to his mental health,” Ms Abela said.

The court heard his relationship with the complainant had ended in September 2021 and she had moved to Brisbane soon after.

The court also heard he had previously breached DV orders with a violent incident followed by abusive text messages.

Though some of their children remained with a grandmother in Mackay, Ms Abela said news of their upcoming move south in December and heavy drinking led to the offending.

“He advised me that he was basically told (by Child Safety) that there was nothing he could do to stop that, which caused him some distress,” she said.

“He began drinking excessively.”

Police prosecutor Michelle Bay said the aggrieved received messages from the defendant threatening not only her but his own life.

“(She has) received several missed called from the defendant (where he) yells ‘f--- you, leave my kids alone and f--- off’”, Ms Bay said.

“(She) was then forwarded a video from her sister sent from the defendant (saying) he is ‘coming after’ her.

“More messages (followed) in which he tells her he’s going to kill himself.”

The court heard she was concerned for his safety and called police.

Ms Bay said police found the defendant “highly intoxicated and threatening to harm himself”.

He was taken to hospital.

The court heard he was hospitalised for two nights and three days.

Ms Abela said her client “instructs me that he is ashamed for lashing out”.

Ms Abela said that after a week in the watch-house, “with hindsight” he admitted he had not been coping.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan sentenced him to four months parole with immediate release and orders to not contact the aggrieved about anything other than their children.

Originally published as Mackay man threatens ex with self harm after kids plan Brisbane move