A young man used to ‘thumbing his nose at the law’ reached a new level of violence when he beat his ex-girlfriend after a heated fight over Snapchat.
Mackay Magistrates Court on Tuesday heard 23-year-old Mitchell Scott Lloyd and his ex-girlfriend had been separated for some time when he visited her house on December 4 last year.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Hannah Beaumont said Lloyd was arguing with his former partner over Snapchat regarding property she wanted returned.
“(Lloyd) has attended her residence (and the ex-girlfriend) has armed herself with a hockey stick as a pre-emptive act of self-defence,” Sgt Beaumont said.
“He has come in, he has grabbed a star picket and he has hit her on the head (and hand).”
A “deep” cut on her head required hospital treatment.
A star picket like the one used by Mitchell Scott Lloyd to hit his ex-girlfriend in Mackay. Photo: Contributed
Magistrate Robbie Davies said Lloyd had “a dreadful record with lots of jail time” which had not deterred his recent attack.
“He’s thumbing his nose at the law again by sending (Snapchat) messages over the period of a week which got quite threatening,” Mr Davies said.
Legal Aid defence lawyer Rosie Varley said Lloyd, who attended Mirani State High School before gaining long-term employment as a plumber, showed a clear “escalation” in offending.
Ms Varley said Lloyd was “plagued by drugs” and had enrolled in a rehabiliation program to address his substance abuse.
Lloyd pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.
He was sentenced to 21 months’ jail with 160 days of presentence custody declared as time already served.
He is eligible for parole release in July. A conviction was recorded.