Timothy John O’Neill: Man avoids jail after cutting ex-wife’s partner with knife working at IGA Glenfield

A man has avoided jail after wounding his ex’s partner with a box cutter while working at Glenfield IGA in March. Timothy John O’Neill, 46, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court for sentencing on Monday, July 3, after he pleaded guilty to lunging at his ex-wife’s partner in an aisle at the store on March 2. Police prosecutor Sgt Ross Gray said O’Neill was working at the IGA about 5.20pm when the victim bumped him before asking what was going on. He replied “I am going to cut you, I’ve been waiting to cut you” before lunging at him with a box cutter knife, lunging at his torso and slicing his cheek. Defence lawyer Karen Ward told the court O’Neill said he’d been called a child molester and was told his children didn’t love him. Ms Ward said O’Neill understood how serious the incident was, he felt remorseful and didn’t plan for the incident to happen. “He’s lost self-control and acted without thought of consequence,” she said. The court was told O’Neill lost his job as a result and soon found employment on a farm. He understood the relationship couldn’t be mended. Sgt Gray said the incident had left an impact on the victim physically and mentally and O’Neill had a previous record of violence. Magistrate Angus Hockton said it was appropriate to suspend the jail term as O’Neill was “unlikely to commit the offence again”. Mr Hockton said O’Neill expressed remorse and didn’t go looking for trouble, but his reaction was disproportionate. “When you bring a bladed object into a confrontation, you can expect imprisonment,” he said. O’Neill was handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, for the unlawful wounding. He must report and engage in supervision and requirements.