Domestic violence offender sentenced in court for assault occasioning bodily harm

A young Rockhampton father breached his parole and a suspended sentence by kicking his ex-partner in the head and stomping on it while she was on the ground. Here’s what happened in court.

A young Rockhampton father breached his parole and a suspended sentence by kicking his ex-partner in the head and stomping on it while she was on the ground, a court has heard.

The defendant, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on April 29 to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence offence), and one count each of contravention of a domestic violence order, enter premises and commit indictable offence by break and assault occasioning bodily harm.

Police prosecutor Brandy Butler said the defendant punched the victim to her ribcage on March 13, causing her to fall to the ground in pain, and yelled at her, “You don’t love me”.

Ms Butler said the defendant then kicked the victim in the head and stomped on it while she was on the ground.

The defendant then brought the victim to her feet while telling her to be quiet, held onto her sides and forced her to walk back to an address in Rockhampton before she ran away from him.

The defendant chased the victim down on a bicycle and grabbed her by the shoulders, shook her and pushed her to the ground.

He then stood over her and punched her to her left eye.

Ms Butler said the victim felt immediate pain and “like she went blank” and suffered bruising to her eye.

“She stated she was hurting all over her body and was light headed and dizzy,” she said.

She said the defendant had a three-page criminal history and that all offences were committed while on parole and breached a suspended sentence and that should be recommitted to the district court, where he was last sentenced in April 2021.

Defence lawyer Rebecca Winning said the five year relationship between her client and the victim was over and that they had two children together.

Ms Winning said her client was intoxicated at the time of the offending.

“The two were at the victim’s sister’s house, a verbal altercation had occurred and the victim then left the address to retrieve some of her belongings from another address,” she said.

“My client has then followed her on a bicycle.

“The verbal argument was going back and forth while she was walking.

“He then caught up to her and acted out in the manner described.

“Thankfully she did not suffer any serious injuries as a result of that.”

She said her client had indicated some shame and remorse for his behaviour.

“The relationship between him and the victim has always been quite difficult,” she said.

“He has identified that as a toxic relationship and that they should not be together.”

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale said at the defendant’s young age it was “sad” to have such a “significant and concerning history”.

“If you continue down this track you will serve longer sentences,” Ms Beckinsale said.

The defendant was sentenced to 18 months’ prison with 41 days declared as time served and parole eligibility as at September 19.

Ms Beckinsale also ordered the defendant be recommitted to the district court.

Originally published as Domestic violence offender sentenced in court for assault occasioning bodily harm