Low IQ used in defence

A MAN has used his “below average intelligence” as a defence after admitting to breaching a domestic violence order by calling and messaging his former partner more than 150 times.

The 22-year-old pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court yesterday to breaching a domestic violence order by trying to contact the mother of his child between February and March this year.

Crown prosecutor Michael Connolly said the calls were “somewhat menacing”.

Defence barrister James McNab, instructed by Dave Garratt of Howden Saggers Lawyers, said the man had been assessed by a psychologist who found he had a below average IQ of 69 which suggested he had poor impulse control. Judge Catherine Muir sentenced him to 15 months in prison and released him on immediate parole.