Lee Ellis King, 34, placed on order for threatening ex-partner with chisel

A Kingston man who threatened his former partner with a chisel in the early hours of the morning, fuelled by the jealousy of her being with another man, has been put on a community order. Lee Ellis King, 34, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court last week where he pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage and possessing an article with intent to cause fear. In the early hours of July 8, the victim — King’s former partner of 16 years with whom he has five children— returned to her Kingston home after a night out with a male friend when she turned on her phone to see it “flooded” with messages and calls from King. Shortly after, the victim pocket dialled the man, and he overheard her talking to another male prompting him to go to the house. The victim and her friend asked King to leave, but he went back to his car and took out a concrete bolster chisel and began shouting at the pair. Using the chisel, King struck the screen door, putting a hole in the security screening and the wooden door behind it. The man’s lawyer told the court the use of the chisel had been prompted by the male friend brandishing a knife, however the prosecution said they were “surprised” by the self-defence story, and submitted an application for King to be named a serial family violence offender. Since the offending, the court was told King has referred himself to a behaviour change course. Magistrate Michelle Harries commended his decision and handed down a 12-month community order to ensure he can continue receiving the help he needs.