Domestic violence offender sentenced in Rockhampton Magistrates Court

A Central Qld father with a 17-page criminal history and 58 contraventions of a domestic violence order has continued to breach the court order, calling the mother of his three children 40 times. Here’s what happened in court.

A Central Queensland father with a 17-page criminal history and 58 prior contraventions of a domestic violence order has continued to breach the court order, calling the mother of his three children 40 times and driving to her house unlicensed and drunk.

The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on April 29 to two counts of contravention of a domestic violence order, and one count each of drink driving, driving without a licence and driving an uninsured and unregistered vehicle.

Police prosecutor Brandy Butler said the defendant called the victim 40 times on April 7 and in the one call she did answer the defendant abused her and questioned her whereabouts.

Ms Butler said the defendant was viewed on CCTV driving to the victim’s address.

She said the defendant had a blood-alcohol content reading of .084, was unlicensed due to a State Penalties Enforcement Registry suspension and was driving a vehicle that was unregistered and uninsured.

She said the defendant attended the victim’s address, despite not being allowed to be there.

She said the victim was not present but he was captured on her CCTV.

The court heard the defendant had a 17-page criminal history with 58 prior contraventions of a domestic violence order.

Ms Butler said the defendant was dealt with in Bundaberg Magistrates Court in October for 51 contraventions of domestic violence orders where he was sentenced to prison for 12 months, suspended for three years, which he had breached.

Defence lawyer Rebecca Winning said her client had been in a relationship with the victim for 10 years and the relationship had been “very difficult”.

“She often would contact him to come over and help out with the children and it is a lot of back and forth and is quite a toxic relationship,” Ms Winning said.

She said her client was drinking alcohol at a work party and had called the victim to speak to their children but she didn’t answer.

“When she did answer a verbal argument ensued,” she said.

“I am instructed she told him to come and remove his unregistered car, which had been in her yard, as she no longer wanted it there.

“He foolishly made the decision to drive unlicensed, unregistered, uninsured and under the influence.”

She said there was no actual violence committed by her client.

The defendant was sentenced to nine months’ prison with a parole release date of July 7 and 22 days declared as time served.

He was also disqualified from driving for 13 months.

Originally published as Domestic violence offender sentenced in Rockhampton Magistrates Court