Man attacks teen daughter

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A GIN Gin man who attacked his teenage daughter leaving her with a black eye has been urged by a judge to "swallow your pride" and make amends with the girl.

Prosecutor David Nardone yesterday told Bundaberg District Court Peter Karl Schmidt, 44, attacked his 18-year-old daughter on November 14, 2010.

Mr Nardone said the girl had moved out prior to the incident because she felt her father was being too controlling.

On the day of the attack, she had returned with his permission to pick up some of her belongings.

"She went to her bedroom and she indicated she did not see him in the kitchen," Mr Nardone said.

"He rebuked her for apparently snubbing him."

An argument then broke out during which Schmidt threw a clock at his teenage daughter and she threw a jar of nuts and bolts on the ground at his feet.

Mr Nardone said when the teen started walking away, Schmidt grabbed her and they both ended up in a struggle on the ground where the girl was struck to the face, leaving her with a black eye.

The prosecutor said the man had a long history of drug use and was sentenced to nine months jail with immediate parole after he was caught with more than 1.5kg of marijuana in 2010.

"It is of some concern he was willing to engage in this violence while on parole," Mr Nardone said. Defence barrister Kim Bryson said Schmidt lost his temper because his daughter had made derogatory comments about a child he had to his second wife.

"He was angered by the fact she attended and ignored him," Ms Bryson said.

Judge David Reid said while he understood parenting could be frustrating at times, Schmidt should not have attacked the girl.

"It concerns me that an adult man resorts to relatively extreme violence, especially towards his own daughter," Judge Reid said.

"Swallow your pride, no matter how difficult it may be, and make some contact with her."

Judge Reid sentenced Schmidt to two years probation.