Moments after arriving at a family dinner a man suffered a "substance induced psychosis", at one stage tearing out a clump of his partner's hair.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Police later removed the man after an attempt by his parents failed, leaving his partner's family so anxious that they installed security cameras at the house.
He later assaulted two officers as he tried to escape a Brisbane hospital.
The man was 24 years old when he arrived for dinner with his partner at her family's home in July 2020, Brisbane District Court heard.
He had earlier consumed a number of drugs.
Soon after arriving, the man got into an argument with his partner.
He became aggressive, lunging at the fiance of his partner's sister.
The man spat at and repeatedly punched the fiance who tried to restrain him.
At one stage the man tried to bite the fiance's arm and kick his groin.
The partner's father was also kicked when he attempted to help the fiance.
When his partner tried to talk to him, the man grabbed her hair and pulled out a clump as her sister attempted to break his grip.
His partner then called the man's parents.
However, when they arrived and tried to get him in the car, the man attempted to get back inside the partner's family home, damaging their front fence.
Police took him to hospital but he continuously tried to escape, punching and kicking one officer in the head and hitting another in the face.
He was eventually sedated by a nurse.
The man was on probation at the time.
Tests showed he had consumed cocaine, cannabis, benzodiazepines and another unknown substance.
A psychiatrist's report said the man was deprived of his capacity to control his actions during the assault, suffering a psychotic reaction after ingesting multiple intoxicating substances.
The family dinner incident occurred a month after the man choked his partner during an argument at their home, the court heard.
"In the sober light of day, he is ashamed ... he lost so much from that conduct," defence barrister Scott Lynch said.
His partner had a child with the man but said in a victim impact statement the offending had ripped their relationship apart.
She now suffers post traumatic stress disorder and nightmares.
The partner's father spoke of the physical and emotional damage caused by the dinner assault in his statement, saying they were anxious about a repeat event occurring.
As a result he had installed security features around the house.
The court heard the man suffered anxiety, depression and had a history of substance abuse.
Judge Terry Gardiner said the man had made genuine attempts at rehabilitation and had been drug free since late 2021.
He was conscious of jeopardising the man's rehabilitation but decided he should serve a short prison term.
The man - now 27 - pleaded guilty to nine charges including choking and assault occasioning bodily harm, both domestic violence offences.
He was sentenced to three years in jail, set for parole release in August.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
Australian Associated Press
