Rockhampton man Curtis Welsh is clean of drugs for the first time since he was 26 years old. But the pathway to sobriety was not planned.
He then moved to Sydney with his mother and brother but ended up living on the streets and using drugs.
About 20 years later, Curtis Brian Welsh is clean of drugs for the first time since a stint when he was 26 years old.
But the pathway to sobriety was not planned.
Welsh, 33, was remanded in custody for 62 days after assaulting his partner of 15 years.
He pleaded guilty on June 9 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm, wilful damage, breaching a domestic violence order, drug driving, fraud – dishonest use, contravene police direction and four of failing to appear in court.
Welsh had methamphetamines and marijuana in his system when he was busted drug driving.
Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said despite Welsh’s adverse childhood experiences, which included leaving school in Year 8, he had a number of qualifications and was working as a painter prior to his incarceration and had installed fibreglass pools for 2.5 years.
She said he was still supported by his mother, partner and young son.
Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said Welsh’s 2.5 page criminal record showed he had only received fines in the past for offences.
“Things fell apart in the past year due to an increase in financial issues,” Ms Legrady said.
She said Welsh claimed this period of presentence incarceration was the first time he had been clean of drugs since he was 26 years old.
Ms Brown said the AOBH offence involved Welsh grabbing his partner by her hair and pushing her up against a wall.
Magistrate Grace Kelhart said Welsh had cornered her in a “very confined space” during an argument which resulted in a door being damaged when the victim sought refuge in the bathroom.
She said it was when she exited that the AOBH took place.
Ms Kelhart sentenced Welsh to six months prison with the 62 days presentence custody declared as time served and immediate release on parole.
She also placed him on a 12-month probation order and disqualified him from driving for three months.
Convictions were recorded.
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