Darryl Taylor: Geraldton man sentenced after stealing cash from work and abusing partner

A Geraldton man has been given a suspended prison sentence after he stole from work and abused his partner. Darryl Taylor, 35, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Monday on charges of stealing as a servant, two counts of aggravated common assault, destruction of property and two charges of breach of protective bail conditions. Police prosecutor Sgt Ross Gray told the court Taylor had been an employee of Coles Express in Wonthella when he went back after hours on December 10, 2022. He said Taylor used his staff key to enter the premises while it was closed, went into the backroom and stole $200 in cash and $500 in cigarettes. He was later arrested and gave no explanation. Sgt Gray also told the court Taylor had assaulted his partner when they were having an argument in a carpark just a day before the stealing. He said Taylor ripped the sun visor off a car and smacked his partner across the face with it. Following the incident, Taylor was placed on bail with the protective conditions that he not act in a violent or abusive manner towards his partner, which he breached earlier this year on March 17. The court was told Taylor was at his partner’s house when he became verbally abusive towards her saying: “I’ll smash everything you got.” When she attempted to remove herself from the situation he followed her and continued to be verbally abusive, as she pleaded to leave him alone he pushed his forehead against hers. Duty lawyer Karen Ward said Taylor had been going through a rough time, while he was out camping and drinking with friends, she called him threatening self-harm which led to an argument. Magistrate Angus Hockton told Taylor that “Violence of this kind is intolerable.” He condemned Taylor’s actions during the argument, stating how it was clear that she had been trying to distance herself from him. “You continued to pursue which resulted in pushing her head with your head,” Mr Hockton said. On the stealing charges, Mr Hockton further told Taylor how this was “a serious example of stealing as a servant”. Taylor was placed on a 12-month suspended sentence with a seven-month intensive supervision order. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) LIFELINE 13 11 14