Mackay court: Lex Patrick Wotton sentenced for assault occasioning bodily harm

A Palm Island man and Central Queensland cultural heritage officer was arrested in a beachside suburb after attacking his ex.

A Palm Island man and Central Queensland cultural heritage officer was arrested near a beachside suburb after a violent attack.

A Palm Island man and Central Queensland cultural heritage officer was arrested near a beachside suburb after a violent attack on a woman he used to date.

Lex Patrick Wotton, 37, was living in Sarina with his mum and working as a cultural heritage officer between Nebo and St Lawrence when he attacked his ex.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard police attended a Sarina Beach property on May 18, 2025 and found Wotton’s ex wheezing and throwing up.

She told police Wotton came into her room at midnight and hit her in the face before he held her down on the bed.

Wotton was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm – a domestic violence offence – and failure to appear and pleaded guilty.

Defence solicitor Sarah Reid said Wotton wished to return to Palm Island and spend more time there.

“Mr Wotton did write a letter, in that letter he stated he’s remorseful, he’s embarrassed by that behaviour … he understands that this won’t be tolerated,” Ms Reid said.

Ms Reid said Wotton had some history of violent offending.

Magistrate Lewis Shillito said Wotton made partial admissions to police at the time, but not to the “more serious conduct”.

“Regardless of that you’re not allowed to use your physical strength to restrain or assault another person,” Mr Shillito said.

Mr Shillito said Wotton had a criminal history dating back to the mid 2000s involving common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm, assault of police, serious assault and domestic violence offences.

“It is not the worst history I’ve seen … it does suggest there is a capacity you have to acting in a violent way,” Mr Shillito said.

Wotton was sentenced to six months imprisonment wholly suspended for a period of nine months, with a parole release date fixed at July 24, 2025.

Convictions were recorded and 63 days spent in pre-sentence custody from May 18 to July 23 were declared.

Mr Wotton shares a name with another Lex Wotton from Palm Island who is aged in his 50s. The elder Mr Wotton has no connection to this case, and is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Originally published as Mackay court: Lex Patrick Wotton sentenced for assault occasioning bodily harm