Repeat domestic violence offender Carl Elley guilty of assaulting fourth victim at Toowoomba
A repeat violent offender who committed acts of domestic violence against four women, can now apply for parole after he pleaded guilty to attacking his Toowoomba girlfriend.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A repeat violent offender who committed acts of domestic violence against four of his former partners was given leave to apply for parole after he spent 151 days in custody.
However, it will be up to the parole board to grant Carl Elley’s bail application and during court proceeding on June 23, a parole representative told the Toowoomba Magistrates Court the department did not support a community based order as his risks and needs could not be managed.
The 30-year-old man was on parole for domestic violence crimes relating to two other women when he attacked his new partner on January 25.
Police prosecutor Chris Willson said Elley also had an extensive and relevant New South Wales criminal history which included DV crimes, stalking, and an armed robbery.
He said Elley clearly had complete disregard for the welfare and safety of his partners, and for court orders.
The court heard during the recent offence, Elley was arguing with his then girlfriend when he picked her up, slammed her onto a bed, and held her down so hard she had bruises.
The pair promptly separated, however days later the woman woke to find Elley in her bed.
A verbal argument ensued, resulting in the woman leaving her home, however Elley chased her and used a screwdriver to self-harm.
Solicitor Joe McConnell said Elley’s behaviour was deplorable, but said his client had suffered an extremely traumatic and disadvantaged childhood.
Mr McConnell said Elley, a diagnosed schizophrenic, was homeless in his early teens because he felt safer on the streets and started injecting ice when he was about 17 or 18-years-old.
He said Elley needed significant support, and noted he never received any help in regards to his mental health.
The court also heard there was a gap in Elley’s offending when he moved to Melbourne to live with his brother, however he “spiralled” out of control after coming home from work to find his brother’s body.
He then moved to Queensland to live with a different woman, who quickly became a victim to his abuse.
Elley appeared at Toowoomba Magistrates Court via video link from a crowded jail on Friday, June 23, and pleaded guilty to assaulting the Wyreema woman in her home.
After pleading guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm and possessing cannabis and drug utensils, Elley was sentenced to two jail terms, six months for the assault and four months for the drug offences.
His probation order was revoked and Magistrate Louise Shepard re-sentenced Elley to a three month jail term.
“All terms are concurrent to each other but the six months… is accumulative to the existing period of imprisonment,” she said.
The 151 days Elley spent in presentence custody was declared as timed served and he was eligible to apply for parole immediately.
The court heard the interstate man moved around from the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Brisbane, and Toowoomba.