Francis ‘went off rails’ after death of brother

DEFENCE barrister Robert Elias said Francis ‘went off the rails’ after the death of his brother last year.

The court heard Francis worked as a store manager at McDonald’s branch in Southport but then began abusing amphetamines.

Mr Elias told the court: “He obtained employment working his way up in the McDonald’s business. It was a responsible and executive position.

“What then happened was his brother died in 2016. This defendant lapsed into amphetamine use and the rest of his offending resulted entirely from that.

“The defendant doesn’t wish to maintain his posture of blaming his partner. He alone accepts responsibility for the violence against her.

“It’s an unusual feature that after a less than auspicious start as a criminal he managed to stay out of trouble for about 10 years before going off the rails.

“It’s a fall from grace from someone who had turned his life around. He settled down, was proud to be a father and it’s come crashing down around his ears because of his renewed addiction to amphetamines.

“This is a man who, when he has something to live for, is capable of significant achievement.”