Douglas James Laurie faces Toowoomba District Court for threatening ex-partner and her new boyfriend

The 49-year-old made serious threats against his ex-partner and her new boyfriend that eventually put him behind bars.

A 49-year-old man who stalked a former partner and her new boyfriend has been handed a jail sentence.

When asked in Toowoomba District Court if he had anything to say on whether sentence should be brought against him, Douglas James Laurie replied: “I’m just very sorry, Your Honour”.

Crown prosecutor Shontelle Petrie told the court Laurie had 13 previous breaches of domestic violence orders of various complainant women and he also had an assault on a woman in his criminal history.

In relation to this particular woman, Laurie had on three different days between October 18 and 31, 2022, threatened and intimidated his former partner and her new boyfriend with most of the vitriol targeted towards the man, she said.

The 49-year-old man pleaded guilty to stalking his ex-partner and her new boyfriend.

The woman had prepared a victim impact statement in which she spoke of the level of Laurie’s jealousy and possessiveness and she made the statement that she was so scared that it was impacting on her everyday life, Ms Petrie said.

Laurie pleaded guilty to stalking with threats to use violence against the two complainants and their property in contravention of a domestic violence order.

Ms Petrie said Laurie had served 67 days in custody after his arrest before obtaining bail.

Laurie’s barrister Doug Wilson said his client instructed he had been drinking too much at the time but he hadn’t had a drink for four months now.

His client had a very good work history and his current employer had provided a reference which spoke highly of him as an employee and friend, he said.

Laurie was a father of four adult children and was in a new relationship and instructed he would like to get some counselling, Mr Wilson said.

Judge Dennis Lynch KC noted that the threats included threats to kill the two complainants and that it was “not acceptable to behave this way because you’re frustrated”.

Judge Lynch sentenced Laurie to two years in jail but, declaring the 67 days of pre-sentence custody as time served under the sentence, ordered the term be suspended after those 67 days for two years.