Denmark father of three jailed for long-term domestic violence against ex-wife, violent assault of teen son

A Denmark father who abused his wife for 20 years, smacked his son’s head against the floor repeatedly, and made his other two children taste sheep manure has been jailed for the horrific acts. The 48-year-old appeared in Perth District Court on September 4, charged with five violent offences. These included two counts of persistently engaging in family violence, one count of aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm, and two counts of failing to protect a child from harm by knowing that the conduct may result in the child suffering harm as a result of physical abuse. In her sentencing remarks, Judge Mara Barone said each of the two domestic violence charges spanned 10 years to cover the accused’s 20-year relationship with his now ex-wife. The court heard the couple’s personalities were “ill-suited” to each other and the relationship was “volatile”, with arguments often breaking out over financial stressors. The abuse comprised taking her car keys and pinning her down on the bed to stop her leaving, arguments, slapping her and pushing her until she fell to the floor — once when she was pregnant with their first child. Another incident, after the couple had separated and he had moved out, occurred on a balcony in view of their three children. The accused hit her across the face hard enough that she fell down, before damaging a ligament in her hand as they struggled for her car keys, smashing her phone, photo frames and putting his fist through a canvas hanging above a bed. Judge Barone said domestic violence was often more of an “affront” than random violence, due to the feeling of trust being broken, and the victim felt caught in a cycle of violence that would “only end at her death”. “She described that for 20 years she lived with a bully, someone who took pleasure in hurting, belittling and humiliating and dominating her,” Judge Barone said. The aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm charge stemmed from an incident with the accused’s eldest son when he was 18. The accused, who had moved out one month earlier, attended the home when an argument broke out about the son’s work ethic, leading him to slap the son in the face before tackling him to the ground. He then grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and repeatedly smashed his head down on to the hardwood floor, dragging him back by his ankle when he tried to escape. The incident resulted in the son having sore upper arms and a tender head and, later, a restraining order. “You were over the top of him, you were a grown man and he was your son. Although he was 18, the power imbalance between the two of you would have been obvious,” Judge Barone said. The remaining two offences were against the two younger children. As well as them witnessing the persistent violence to their mother and the single act of violence against their eldest brother, the charges involved harsh acts of discipline, including being hit with a belt or a wooden spoon so hard it caused bruises and ripped clothes. The charges also covered an incident when the pair were 12 and eight-years-old, when upon discovering them arguing, the accused made them hold sheep manure in their mouths for at least a minute. Judge Barone described the offending as “degrading” and “disgusting”. “No doubt, you thought of it as part of your parenting of them, but it seems misguided and reckless as to the harm that that might have caused your children,” she said. Judge Barone said the accused, who pleaded guilty to all charges, appeared very remorseful regarding the isolated offending against his children, but less so about the persistent offending against his ex-wife. In her sentencing, she took into account the man’s strong employment history and volunteering roles, his active engagement in rehabilitation programs, his lack of criminal record, and his supportive relationship with his new wife which included co-parenting of her young children, one of whom has a disability. She also acknowledged prison would be difficult for him, considering his recent autism diagnosis. Despite these factors, Judge Barone said she had made the “not easy decision” to sentence him to immediate imprisonment. She ordered him to serve 2½ years jail, backdated to July 25 this year, and made him eligible for parole after serving 15 months. If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008. Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.