Chris Papastergou in Maroochydore court for assault occasioning bodily harm

A Sunshine Coast truck driver has admitted to repeatedly punching a woman in her bedroom not long after he chased her with a blowtorch and threatened to drench her with acid.

Chris Papastergou. Photo: social media

A truck driver who repeatedly punched a woman and threw her against a towel rack has been released from jail less than a year after he was sentenced for threatening to burn the woman with a blowtorch and douse her in acid.

Chris Papastergou remained silent on video link in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on September 30 as Magistrate Chris Callaghan read the details of his terrifying assault.

He pleaded guilty to four charges including assault occasioning bodily harm, possessing meth and unlawfully using a car.

Mr Callaghan read out to the court about 6pm on January 13 Papastergou became involved in an argument with a woman about a stranded vehicle.

The court heard about half an hour later, Papastergou entered the woman’s bedroom, got on top of her on the bed and began punching her repeatedly in the head.

The circumstances of how he entered is not known.

The victim ended up on the floor, where he continued to strike her until she attempted to leave the bedroom to call triple-0.

Chris Papastergou. Photo: social media

Mr Callaghan said Papastergou, trying to prevent her call, forced her into the bedroom ensuite and threw her against the wall, causing her to slam against a towel rack.

The woman could not move her arm and felt dizzy following the strike, the court heard.

She also suffered various cuts from the scuffle.

“What you did to her was absolutely monstrous,” Mr Callaghan said.

Police prosecutor Brendan Newman told the court of Papastergou’s most recent offending, which he had received 15 months’ suspended sentence for.

Sergeant Newman said Papastergou, while in possession of a blowtorch, had told his victim “I’m going to burn you alive, b----” and threatened to throw acid over her.

He had then chased his victim with the blowtorch.

Defence lawyer Cherisse Brees said her 47-year-old client works as a truck driver and had regularly attended church with his father.

She told the court Papastergou had completed several bible courses during his time in custody and is looking to engage in further rehabilitation courses.

Ms Brees said Papastergou had been affected by drugs that night and the meth found inside a clip-seal bag had been residue.

The court heard he had been given permission to use the victim’s car previously but it had not been granted on the night.

Mr Callaghan activated Papastergou’s suspended sentence in addition to his sentence for these matters, which totalled 26 months in jail.

Having served about one third already in pre-sentence custody, Mr Callaghan granted him immediate release on parole.

Originally published as Chris Papastergou in Maroochydore court for assault occasioning bodily harm