Mum- to- be jailed for DV

A PREGNANT woman has been jailed for repeated acts of domestic violence against her partner, including punching him and smashing a glass door.

The 33- year- old woman, who cannot be named to protect her victim, pleaded guilty in Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday to wilful damage and two counts of breaching a domestic violence order ( DVO).

Prosecutor Mark Fenlon said the woman had a history of violence against her partner, with numerous DVO breach convictions from New South Wales and Queensland.

“She isn’t showing that she’s learnt from previous orders imposed by this court,” he said.

“( Her partner) seems to be effectively used as a punching bag.” She was jailed last year, and on parole when she committed the wilful damage on November 13.

Mr Fenlon said the Cranbrook couple argued at home that afternoon, then the man locked the woman out and asked her to leave.

The woman kicked and shattered the front glass door.

Police arrived at 3.50pm and saw the woman next to the smashed door with a severe cut to her right leg.

On December 5, the pair started arguing while walking home from Stockland Shopping Centre.

“The ( man) implied the ( woman) was a bad mother, and in response she got upset and told the aggrieved that he was the reason his son killed himself,” he said.

Back at home, they argued over whether they should watch cricket on television or listen to music.

“The defendant has attempted to remove the TV from the wall but failed,” he said.

“The ( woman) then struck ( her partner) with a closed first to the left cheek.

“( She) slapped the right side of the aggrieved’s head.”

Later that day the woman, who was seven weeks pregnant, threatened to have an abortion. She knocked over a Christmas tree and threw baubles at her partner.

Defence solicitor Phil Rennick said the woman was now 11 weeks pregnant and also had an eight- year- old daughter. He said the woman was diagnosed with anxiety and post- trau- matic stress disorder after falling victim to a “brutal assault” in New South Wales.

In a letter tendered to the court, the woman’s partner wrote that he wished to continue their relationship.

Acting Magistrate Scott Luxton sentenced the woman to eight months’ jail, with parole eligibility on March 11.

She may spend a longer time in custody as she is currently serving a sentence for previous domestic violence offending.