Spine fracture, bloodied underwear: Vile Toowoomba DV offender jailed despite maggot foot

When a Toowoomba man’s “savage and cowardly” acts of DV were disclosed in court, the man’s lawyer submitted a community-based prison term was in range due to his maggot infested foot. Warning: Distressing content.

A Toowoomba man will spend six months behind bars, with a terrible maggot-infested wound, for subjecting the mother of his children to “savage and cowardly” acts of domestic violence.

The 41-year-old father of seven, Brett Shane Peters, was jailed on Thursday, February 1, after the Surat farmhand pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, which occurred in late 2022.

The court heard Peters had children with three different women, one of whom died during labour, and the victim continued to care for three of his children despite their separation.

Brett Shane Peters will spend 6 months in jail after pleading guilty to horrific acts of domestic violence, despite having a maggot-infested foot.

Within the domestic violence survivor’s victim impact statement, she told the court the violence inflicted upon her by Peters was extremely damaging to her, and she struggled to find the words to adequately express how it affected her.

She said in her statement that a home should be a place of safety and that was ripped from her.

The mother ended her statement on a positive note, remarking she hoped Peters got the help he needed.

Two nights of horror

Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald told the Toowoomba District Court the attacks upon the woman were protracted, “savage”, and a significant breach of trust, which required Peters to serve ‘actual’ time in prison.

Ms Friedewald said during the first serious assault in October 2022, Peters flew into a rage after being asked to help out around the house, which he responded by yelling at the woman to “shut the f-ck up… you’re getting too lippy”.

He told her, “it was time for a hiding,” because it was the only way to “keep her in line”.

Ms Friedewald said the man rushed the woman before hitting her in the kidneys with force, however when she turned her back and tried to flee, he continued to punch her from behind striking her in the kidneys and head.

Later while cooking dinner, the woman felt sharp abdomen and back pain, and soon realised there was blood in her underwear and urine from damage caused to her kidneys.

About a week later Peters again attacked the woman, however the level of violence escalated to the point where the woman thought she would die.

Ms Friedewald said the pair had been celebrating and drinking at their home, however Peters became frustrated because he could not contact a family member, which resulted in an argument.

The Toowoomba courthouse, police station, and watch house. Picture: Peta McEachern

The woman kicked Peters out of the home and told him not to return until his temper was under control, however Peters had found a way back inside.
Ms Friedewald said the argument moved outside after Peters took off with the woman’s phone and wallet, and his temper flared when she smashed a bottle of rum, citing it as the reason for his behaviour.

“He (then) turned violent,” she said.

“He did so by grabbing her by the back of the head (and) striking her head into the wall and a desk in that shed.

“He then grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off her feet, holding her against the wall.

“As she tried to fight him off, he slammed her down to the ground.
“He put his knee into her chest to hold her down.

“He then grabbed at her breast and twisted it hard causing immediate pain.”

The court heard the woman thought she was going to die.

She fled to the car and blared the car horn to alert neighbours and did not stop until police arrived.Ms Friedewald said she sustained a number of injuries which included a spinal fracture.

Brett Shane Peters pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm at the Toowoomba District Court on January 31, 2024, and was sentenced and jailed the following day.

Maggot infestation following foot de-gloving

The court heard two months before Peters pleaded guilty to his crimes, which he initially denied citing the woman as the aggressor, he himself suffered a spinal fracture following a serious car crash.

During the single vehicle rollover on Christmas night, 2023, Peters’ foot was stripped of its skin, which was infested with maggots as his skin seemed to be failing to reattach itself.

Defence barrister Doug Wilson, instructed by Bouchier Khan Lawyers, said he was “very concerned” about Peters’ injury which required him to attend a hospital multiple times a week.

Mr Wilson said the Toowoomba-born man was living at Surat on strict bail conditions following the assaults, however in the future he planned to move closer to his children.

The court heard the former Oakey meat works slicer, sandblaster, lawn maintenance contractor, and gas worker, had since completed a number of courses to address his behaviour.

Mr Wilson submitted given Peters’ serious and ongoing injury, it was within the judge’s power to use his discretion and impose a community-based prison order.

Punishment

Judge Anthony Rafter SC said prisons were well equipped to deal with prisoners’ medical issues and time behind bars was warranted given the level of “savagery and cowardice” Peters showed.

He also noted the impact of prison on his medical issues, such as mobility issues, was irrelevant.

Judge Rafter SC sentenced Peters to a two-year and six-month jail term.

His parole release date was set to July 13, 2024.