Laurence Scott Turvey: Geraldton man sentenced to almost four years jail for ‘vicious’ attack on partner

A Geraldton teenager held a shard of broken glass to his partner’s throat and threatened to kill her before trying to strangle her and stomping on her head in a “vicious attack” that left the victim with a broken jaw and fractured eye socket. Laurence Scott Turvey appeared in Geraldton District Court on Monday after pleading guilty to aggravated grievous bodily harm, threat to kill in circumstances of aggravation and impeded another person’s normal breathing by applying pressure to neck. Turvey, who claimed he was intoxicated and did not remember the attack, was sentenced to three years and eight months behind bars over the horror incident. The court was told Turvey was in a family relationship with the 19-year-old victim at the time the offences were committed. Turvey was also 19 at the time. State prosecutor Gary Huggins said Turvey began his attack after the victim returned home on Saturday, August 21, 2021. She heard items being smashed on the front veranda and went to see what was going on. Turvey pushed past her and went to the bedroom, and once there he punched her multiple times to the face. He smashed a mirror, picked up a piece of broken glass and held the victim in a headlock. As she was struggling to breathe and gasping for air, Turvey held a piece of glass to her throat and threatened to kill her, stating: “I’ll cut your throat”. The assault continued as he grabbed the victim by her hair and dragged her along the broken glass. He then placed both hands around the victim’s neck and strangled her, as she went in and out of consciousness. The court was told Turvey stomped on her head multiple times while she was on the ground. The victim managed to flee and reach a nearby house where the police were called. She suffered a broken jaw, fractured eye socket, lacerations and bruises. Mr Huggins described the attack as “vicious” and said the violence only stopped because she was able to get out. “She thought she was going to die,” he said. The court was told the victim was at risk of permanent disability if not for surgery. Defence lawyer Fintan Roberts said Turvey was intoxicated and did not remember the offending but accepted responsibility. Judge Andrew Stavrianou said the victim would have been terrified during the attack. “This type of conduct is simply unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the community,” he said. Turvey’s three years and eight months jail sentence was backdated and he will be eligible for parole in June 2024 after serving 22 months. If you or someone you know requires assistance, contact: 1800 RESPECT