Full list of Toowoomba’s 2023 domestic violence abusers named and shamed

As DV offenders continue to clog up our courts, here’s a list of locals who have been sentenced for chilling acts of DV in 2023.

The Toowoomba Courthouse is inundated with countless domestic violence offenders on a weekly basis, and the number of cases continues to increase.

A report released by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety found domestic family violence was the leading preventable contributor to death and illness for women aged between 18 and 44 years of age.

The Toowoomba Court House. Picture: Peta McEachern

Late last year Queensland Health released a report stating since the age of 15, one in six women, and one in 16 men, were assaulted at the hands of a partner.

“Most men are not violent however the majority of violence involves men, including male to male violence as well as male to female violence,” the report stated.

“It is unusual to see a case of severe female to male violence.”

The report noted women were more likely to be assaulted by their partner if they were pregnant, or had left the relationship.

“Incidence is (also) significantly higher for First Nations women, who are 32 times more likely to be hospitalised for family violence assaults than other Queenslanders… (and) five times more likely to be victims of homicide than other Australian women,” the report said.

“Although numbers of reported incidents… have been increasing in Queensland, it must be acknowledged that the data does not come close to representing the true extent of the problem.”

Toowoomba DV offenders sentenced in 2023

CONVICTION RECORDED

• Christopher John Wayne Armstrong

Christopher John Wayne Armstrong.

Oakey man Christopher John Wayne Armstrong was sentenced to a six month jail term for attacking the mother of his children, while he was on probation for assaulting his mother.

At the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday, June 12, Armstrong pleaded guilty to 22 crimes which included; assault which caused bodily harm, drug possession, driving with meth and weed in his system, and evading police.

The court was told he verbally abused his ex-partner before putting her in a “bear hug” and throwing her to the ground.

“I will drill you c--t,” he told her while pretending to punch her in the face, as she lay on the ground with abrasions to her back and torso.

During the 29-year-old’s sentencing, magistrate Kay Philipson said Armstrong was a “serial domestically violent person”.

“The community and myself are sick of people like you, thinking you can go out there and abuse those who care about you,” she told the father of two boys.
Click here for the full court report.

• Carl Elley

Carl Elley pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-partner at Toowoomba - the woman is the fourth to report Elley to the police. Picture: Social Media

Repeat DV offender Carl Elley, who committed acts of violence against four former partners, spent 151 days in custody after he assaulted his newest girlfriend.

At the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on June 23, Elley pleaded guilty to drug charges, as well as assaulting the Wyreema woman in her home, which caused her bodily harm.

The court was told the 30-year-old, who had an exceptionally difficult and traumatic childhood, had an extensive interstate criminal history that involved DV assault, stalking, and an armed robbery.

He was on parole and probation for DV crimes at the time of the Toowoomba assault.

Police prosecutor Chris Willson said Elley clearly had complete disregard for the welfare and safety of his partners, and court orders.

His probation order was revoked and magistrate Louise Shepard re-sentenced Elley to a three month jail term, to run cumulatively with a six month jail term.

Elley was granted leave to apply for parole, however a parole representative told the court it did not support his release into the community.

Click here for the full court report.

• Harminder Singh Jaswal

The day after Toowoomba cook Harminder Singh Jaswal was arrested for assaulting his wife, the 37-year-old pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm and wilful damage.

During the proceeding at the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on February 8, police prosecutor Anita Page said Jaswal flew into a rage because his dinner was not good enough.

Ms Page said Jaswal was drinking before he began beating the woman in the head, which caused a laceration to her face.

He also punched a number of holes in the walls.

Magistrate Clare Kelly placed Jaswal on a 15-month probation order, and told him to address any underlying issues that may have contributed to the assault.

Click here for the full court report.

• Kurt David Orford

A court heard, Kurt David Orford beat, strangled, and locked up his ex-partner during a six-month period in 2022 - most after the woman ended the relationship.

Toowoomba man Kurt Orford was sentenced to a three-year jail term after pleading guilty to 10 offences including strangulation and choking, assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault, deprivation of liberty, and wilful damage.

The 31-year-old will spend a year in jail before he is likely to be released on parole in February 2024.

The Toowoomba District Court heard Orford beat and strangled his ex-partner during a six-month period in 2022, with most offences taking place after the woman ended the relationship.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren condemned Orford’s behaviour, especially when he flew into a jealous rage after finding condoms in his ex’s house despite the fact he and the survivor were separated.

“It was extraordinary entitled behaviour,” Judge Horneman-Wren said.

Despite Orford’s lawyer submitting a character reference that stated he was a “good role model” to his boys, Judge Horneman-Wren said it was a hollow submission.
Click here for the full court report.

• Cameron Douglas Hall

Toowoomba man Cameron Hall, 29, was jailed for three years after spending 383 days in custody for the violent attack of his partner.

At the Toowoomba District Court, Hall pleaded guilty to strangulation and assault occasioning bodily harm charges after he attacked the woman twice during 2022.

On one occasion, Crown prosecutor Shontelle Petrie said Hall strangled the woman, and on another he beat the woman in the head and dragged her by the hair.

The court heard Hall, who had a traumatic childhood and drug addiction, had acted out in a jealous rage.

Judge Leanne Clare SC said Hall’s behaviour was “brutish and cowardly”.

His parole date was set for June 10, 2023.

Click here for the full court report.

• Leslie John Anthony Rogers

Toowoomba man Leslie Rogers, 41, was jailed for two and a half years after he pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation.

Toowoomba District Court was told during an argument, the woman attempted to flee to a bathroom, however Rogers chased her down and attacked her – leaving her with a split lip and loss of consciousness.

The woman soon woke to find Rogers standing over her body, which was covered in bruises.

The mine worker then kicked her in the legs.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald said in 2010, Roger was convicted of subjecting a former partner to stalking and threats of violence.

On February 14, Judge Tony Rafter SC sentenced declared the 35 days he spent in pre-sentence custody and set his parole release date as October 7, 2023.
Click here for the full court report.

Offenders who had no conviction recorded

• Campbell Jonathon Zupp

Toowoomba tradesman Campbell Jonathon Zupp walks free from Toowoomba District Court on June 22, after he plead guilty to assaulting his former girlfriend twice. Picture: News Regional Media Picture: News Regional Media

Campbell Zupp, 21, fronted Toowoomba District Court on June 22 and pleaded guilty to common assault, wilful damage, and obstructing police.

The court was told in August 2022, a drunk and angry Zupp grabbed his partner by the throat and punched her in the face.

Crown prosecutor Abby Kong said the woman ran to a room with her cat and barricaded the door with a bookcase, before hiding in a cupboard.

However, Zupp then smashed his way into the room, damaging the door frame and putting a hole in the door.

The court was told the former butcher’s behaviour was out of character and since the assault, he was drinking less and stopped using cocaine.

The painter was sentenced to a two year probation order and ordered to pay $700 in restitution for the damages caused to the woman’s rental unit.

No conviction was recorded.
Click here for the full court report.

• Matthew Joel Marshall

Toowoomba man Matthew Joel Marshall was sentenced to a 12 month probation order and 40 hours of community service, after he subjected his family to a violent and terrifying episode.

On March 21 at the Toowoomba Magistrates Court, the 24-year-old pleaded guilty to guilty to common assault, trespassing, wilful damage, and four charges of obstructing police.

Police prosecutor Rohan Brewster-Webb said an intoxicated Marshall came home and began ranting incoherently - which included threatening to kill his ex-partner and her mother before looking for petrol to “burn their house to the ground”.

Mr Brewster-Webb said Marshall then assaulted his brother and threatened to stab him before rummaging around in kitchen draws, forcing the man to flee the house.

At the watch-house, he was vomiting, erratic, and complained about hearing voices in his head, and Mr Brewster-Webb noted police believed he was on drugs despite his BAC reading of 0.113.

No conviction was recorded.
Click here for the full court report.