Judge rejects smoker defence
A MAN jailed for choking and strangling his partner initially attempted to cover up his crime by telling police the wounds on her neck were sunburn.
Daniel Michael Anthony Bullimore attacked his girlfriend three times on February 9, 2018, after she “roughly put the cat outside”.
Bullimore pleaded guilty to chocking/strangling in a domestic setting and breaching a domestic violence order when he faced Townsville District Court on January 23.
Crown prosecutor Holly Trentin said Bullimore and the woman had been in a relationship for 12 months and were living together in Kirwan when the attack took place.
“The complainant told the defendant the relationship was over,” Ms Trentin said.
“About an hour-and-a-half later they got into an argument as she was preparing dinner.
“The defendant became annoyed when the complainant roughly put the cat outside.
“He approached the complaint from behind and put his arms around her neck and chest area.”
Ms Trentin said Bullimore used his forearm to apply pressure to the woman’s neck while he held her in a headlock. The court heard the victim could not breathe and her vision went blurry. A group of schoolchildren walking past the Kirwan residence saw what was happening and called the police.
After choking the woman for about 25 seconds Bullimore released her.
Bullimore grabbed the woman by the throat again when she refused to leave the house.
“The complainant went into their bedroom and sat on the bed,” Ms Trentin said.
“(Bullimore) followed her and abused her, he pulled her to the ground, sat on her waist area and pushed her shoulders down. He put both hands around her throat and squeezed very hard, she could not breathe again and felt her body about to shut down.”
After 30-40 seconds Bullimore released the woman again and police arrived shortly after.
The court heard the woman refused to be taken to the hospital but had a croaky voice and her throat was red and swollen. “(Bullimore) participated in an interview and denied all offending,” Ms Trentin said. “He said she had sun damage on her neck and she always had a croaky voice because she is a smoker.”
Judge Greg Lynham sentenced Bullimore to two-anda-half years in jail and to serve 10 months in custody before being granted bail.
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