Augathella man Daniel Joel Armstrong sentenced in Toowoomba Magistrates Court for fight over toddler’s ear piercing

After learning of his young daughter’s new jewellery, a South West Queensland man was driven into a fury that ended with his father-in-law in hospital suffering “frightening” facial injuries.

An Augathella man viciously attacked his father-in-law after fighting with his mother-in-law over his toddler’s new ear piercing. Photo: File

In a blind rage, a South West Queensland man pummelled his father-in-law to the ground after arguing with his mother-in-law over his toddler’s new piercing.

Augathella man Daniel Joel Armstrong, 32, was sentenced before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty last week to viciously assaulting his father-in-law at the end of 2023.

The court was told Armstrong was drinking with his father-in-law when he became aware of his daughter’s ear piercing.

According to police, the Augathella man blamed his mother-in-law for the piercing and lashed out at her before she and his father-in-law decided to leave.

Armstrong followed the pair to their car where he shattered the passenger side window, covering his in-laws in glass.

Later that evening, Armstrong confronted the couple at their home.

“There was a verbal argument that started between your partner and her father and they began pushing each other,” magistrate Kyna Morice recounted to the defendant.

“You then entered the arena and you started punching your father-in-law in the head multiple times, knocking him to the ground.”

Armstrong’s mother-in-law stepped in to intervene but the 32-year-old continued to punch her husband in the head.

“Your father-in-law crawled up the stairs to the door of his house and into the door, your mother-in-law stood in the doorway to protect her husband from you,” Ms Morice said.

“You pushed past her and you went straight to your father-in-law and kicked him several times in the neck and the head.”

Picture: File

The victim was flown to Roma Hospital with bruising and swelling in the face and neck.

“Arguably the injuries are not as serious as they could have been but certainly these photographs are frightening,” Ms Morice said.

The court was told Armstrong had two previous assault charges, the latest only six months prior.

Solicitor Mark Stone submitted his client was remorseful for his actions and had long struggled with alcohol abuse.

Ms Morice did not hold back in her disdain for Armstrong’s offending.

“I’m having a lot of difficulty with this sentence, I’m going to be very frank with you,” she began.

“I’m concerned about your risk to anybody who you have a disagreement with … I’m outraged by your conduct.

“How you think you can go around assaulting people when they don’t agree with you or when you’re upset and angry with them is beyond me.”

She criticised him further for not engaging in programs for anger management and domestic abusers following his arrest.

“The fact that after being charged with these incredibly serious offences, you did absolutely nothing,” she said.

“You have no insight whatsoever into your problems.

“I can’t imagine that you would want anyone to deal with your daughter that way … you are setting a terrible example for your very young child.

“Hopefully now you can start to appreciate the consequences of your actions.”

The man was formally charged with two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, and one count each of wilful damage and enter dwelling with intent at night.

He was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment and granted immediate parole with seven days of pre-sentence custody declared as time served.