Knife attack to head

Judge slams man’s repeat violence

A REPEAT violent offender who stabbed a man in the head and punched a woman in the face while at a party on Palm Island has been sentenced to two years in jail.

William Silas Wayne Prior faced Townsville District Court yesterday charged with unlawful wounding and assault occasioning bodily harm over the April 28, 2014, attacks.

Crown prosecutor Chris Moore told the court Prior stabbed the man with such force that the knife broke, leaving the tip of the blade lodged in the victim’s head.

“He was throwing his weight around ... he punched a woman in the mouth,” Mr Moore said.

“He stabbed him in the side of the head with a knife ... the tip of the knife lodged in the complainant’s head. It was fortunate there was no greater injury to male complainant.”

Prior also fled from police on May 2, May 3 and May 10 as officers tried to arrest him.

The court heard Prior crossed paths with his male victim while in custody and the pair had mended their relationship after Prior apologised.

Defence barrister Claire Grant said Prior had a history of violent offending and was eager to seek help for his anger issues. “The only way forward is for him to engage in an anger management course,” she said.

“He has issues in regards to recidivist, violent offending.

“He has experienced some social disadvantage and he … has a very limited education.”

The court heard Prior was on probation over a separate incident at the time of the offences. His probation was revoked and he was re- sentenced to 18 months’ jail, to be released on parole immediately.

Prior was also on a suspended sentence for separate previous violent offences, resulting in a further eight months being added to his sentence. All sentences will be served concurrently, meaning he will remain on parole for 18 months.

Judge Stuart Durward SC said Prior’s offences were shameful and warned he would send him “back out to the big house” if he continued to commit acts of violence.

“Attacking a woman is a cowardly act,” he said. “You should be ashamed of yourself. The offences you committed were within a very short time of your release from prison.”

Judge Durward ordered Prior be released on parole immediately as he had served 444 days in pre- sentence custody.