Man, jailed until 2023, hoped to get out early but parole in doubt

A violent criminal jeopardised his hope for Christmas at home after he contacted his former partner in violation of a domestic violence protection order, two days after starting a lengthy jail sentence.

The man, who cannot be named to protect to his victim’s privacy, had be jailed until November 2023 for domestic violence offences.

His lengthy criminal history included several armed robberies and violent assaults.

The Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard today that the 30-year-old man used a complicated system to circumvent the prison’s telephone system, on June 26.

Police prosecutor Julia Wheaton said the man got another prisoner to phone a third party, who then put him in contact with his former partner.

“Once connected he started speaking with her,” Ms Wheaton said.

“She immediately said, ‘Why are you calling me?’ and terminated the call.”

The court head the aggrieved woman made a recording of the call, which married with records kept by the Department of Corrective Services.

While he made no threats, a domestic violence order between the pair forbade any contact.

Acting for the man, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Legal Service lawyer Michael McElhinney said his client was eligible for parole on December 24 and had hoped to be home for Christmas.

“He has started an application for parole … but that was put on hold because of this charge,” he said.

Mr McElhinney entered a plea of guilty on behalf of his client, for one count of breaching a domestic violence order.

He asked of a short period of imprisonment, suspended beyond the man’s eventual parole.

Magistrate Howard Osborne agreed and sentenced the man to two months in jail, suspended for nine months.