Jealous lover in court
AN "OBSESSIVELY jealous" man who dragged his former partner by the hair and threw her down a set of stairs had told her that if he fell in love with her that he would hurt her.
Former Caloundra business owner Malcolm Turnbull, who was extradited from Tasmania over the charges last year, pleaded guilty to a string of charges in Maroochydore District Court yesterday.
They were three counts of burglary and commit, two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, one count of unlawful stalking, one count of common assault, one count of wilful damage and entering a dwelling by breaking at night and eight summary offences.
The majority of charges stemmed from two incidences involving his former partner Vicki Maree Wallace following a short relationship that began in January 2008.
On May 3, 2008, Turnbull broke through a window above Ms Wallace's bed as she slept in her Kings Beach unit following a misunderstanding involving friends.
She was showered in glass, causing injuries, before he humiliated and screamed obscenities at her.
According to the statement of facts tendered to the court, he screamed at her, "I told you if I fall in love with you I would hurt you".
In 2010, he broke into her new home at Wurtulla, this time assaulting her, dragging her out of bed by her hair and then pushing her down the stairs.
He followed with a barrage of insults. She was taken to Nambour General Hospital to be treated for bruising and a 5cm laceration on her head.
The defence noted Turnbull was now in a new relationship with a single mother in Davenport, Tasmania.
He said his client had a support network back on the island state and a job waiting for him at a family farm.
In sentencing, Judge Robertson took into account the 45-year-old's plea of guilty, saying a trial would have forced Ms Wallace to relive the terrors of both incidences.
Turnbull was sentenced to 3.5 years with the term suspended after 14 months.
Taking into consideration the near 12 months already served in pre-sentence custody, he will be released on bail in approximately two months.
