Robert William Bulsey sentenced in court for assault occasioning bodily harm

A Central Queensland man has been sentenced in court after kicking his ex-partner in the jaw and again to the back of the head at a party. Here’s what happened to him.

A Central Queensland man will remain behind bars after kicking his partner in the jaw and again to the back of the head at a party in Woorabinda.

Robert William Bulsey, 24, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on August 19 to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said the victim was pushed, dragged and kicked to the head twice.

The court heard Bulsey was at a party on July 17 at Woorabinda and wanted to leave and that as he and the victim started to leave he pushed the victim to the ground, dragged her to her feet by her collar, which scraped her knee, and pushed her to the ground again.

Robert William Bulsey, 24, appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on August 19, 2022.

While she was on the ground, Bulsey kicked the victim to the jaw, causing immediate pain.

A witness pulled Bulsey away while another witness protected the victim.

Bulsey brushed past the witness and kicked the victim to the back of the head again, causing more pain.

Sergeant Ongheen said the consequences of the two kicks could have been “catastrophic”.

“She has suffered at the hands of this defendant a severe assault of a very derogatory and demeaning nature,” he said.

Defence lawyer Ken Spinaze said his client, who had four children, was in a relationship with the victim and that it was over.

Mr Spinaze said his client was apologetic for his offending.

“He indicates alcohol is the principal cause for it and he is embarrassed by his act of violence,” he said.

Mr Spinaze said his client had a difficult upbringing in Woorabinda.

He said his client’s life spiralled downhill after leaving school in Year 9 and that he started relying on alcohol.

“He started hanging around with some of the wrong people and became involved with criminal activities,” he said.

“For the first time he will be attempting to rehabilitate.”

Magistrate Jason Schubert said Bulsey’s offending was “cowardly”.

“This is behaviour is against someone you supposedly love and supposedly protect,” Mr Schubert said.

“This is disgraceful and you should be embarrassed of yourself.”

Mr Schubert sentenced Bulsey to 21 months’ prison, declared 33 days as time served, and set parole release for February 17, 2023.

Originally published as Robert William Bulsey sentenced in court for assault occasioning bodily harm