Peter David Clancy pleads guilty to choking, grievous bodily harm on former partner

A panel beater’s former partner has required surgery after she was subjected to a horror domestic violence attack in her garage.

Peter David Clancy faced Maroochydore District Court on Monday. Picture: David Clark

A panel beater has been sent to jail for his vicious assault on a former fiance in a drunken rage which resulted in a broken finger.

Peter David Clancy was escorted by police into custody after being told he must serve at least a year behind bars after admitting to the violent attack on a woman.

Maroochydore District Court heard on Monday he was drinking with the victim and friends at their home at Golden Beach on April 15, 2023, when he was angered over a “misapprehension” about perceived romance between the victim and a friend.

Barrister Simon Lewis, instructed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the 53-year-old argued with the woman early the next morning in the garage, which soon became violent.

He pleaded guilty to all charges. Picture: David Clark

Mr Lewis said Clancy told the woman to “go away, f--- off” before he ran at her and grabbed her by the neck. He pushed her into a boat in the frontyard of their property.

The Golden Beach man stood on top of her and choked her for one minute while saying “I will f---ing kill you c---”.

“She thought she was going to die,” Mr Lewis said.

The court heard the woman was let go and tried to walk inside, however Clancy started to close the garage door.

Mr Lewis said the woman went under the garage door when the 53-year-old grabbed her neck again and applied pressure for 20 seconds and tried to push her out.

The terror continued as the woman fell over and Clancy landed on top of her.

As he landed on the woman he slammed her head into the concrete driveway twice. Part of her hair was ripped out during this. He then kicked her in the head and body as she tried to get up and make her way out of the garage.

After she made it outside, the victim called the police and was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital where she was treated for bruising to her neck and injuries to her head, rib and a fracture to one of her fingers.

The court heard the victim needed a plate and screws inserted into her hand through surgery.

Clancy was on bail when he faced court this week. Picture: David Clark

When Clancy was spoken to by police, he said he had 10 beers and half a bottle of scotch. He admitted he was “going wild” during the attack, the court heard.

He was charged with two counts of choking and one of grievous bodily harm and assault, and pleaded guilty to all charges in court this week.

Defence barrister Lachlan Ygoa-McKeown told the court the panel beater had no history of domestic violence but had since attended counselling sessions.

Mr Ygoa-McKeown said the 53-year-old, born in Maclean in northern NSW, admitted to being ashamed of his behaviour and had not told those close to him, hence the lack of character references before the court.

The barrister conceded jail time was warranted but asked for a shorter stint than proposed by Mr Lewis.

Judge Glen Cash said the 53-year-old would be aware of how society wanted to recognise that significant sentences were needed for domestic violence offenders to show their behaviour was not tolerated.

Clancy was jailed for three years which will be suspended after serving 12 months of actual time behind bars.

Originally published as Peter David Clancy pleads guilty to choking, grievous bodily harm on former partner