A trader showed “contempt and disrespect” for the justice system when he flew to Bali on holiday despite being banned from traveling after being sentenced for a four-year campaign of abuse against his wife.
That’s according to prominent victims’ advocate Howard Brown, who was furious when he read Daily Mail Australia’s exclusive report on construction company director Brendan Lionel Howe’s overseas holiday.
Howe, 37, pleaded guilty earlier this month to the charges. including aggravated assault, common assault and property damage.
The ACT Supreme Court heard Howe once held his then-wife against a wall when she was 34 weeks pregnant and, in front of their young son, shouted: “I rule the roost in this house.” You should worship the damn ground I walk on. You’re a fucking bitch. You are a stray dog.
‘If you and that little shit inside you can’t see that I’m the boss and when I want to talk about something, I’m going to talk about it and she’ll know it and you’ll know it.’
He also threatened to kill her if she left him.
Howe left court last week with a fully suspended seven-month prison sentence, a one-year good behavior bond, an $1,800 fine and 50 hours of community service.
Brendan Howe is pictured in Canberra on Monday
But Howe then traveled to Bali two days after his sentencing, in flagrant breach of the sentences imposed, as he was ordered to remain in or near the ACT for the duration of his good behavior bail.
Victims’ advocate Howard Brown criticized Howe’s sentence as inadequate and said “morons like that will continue to get away with it” unless it is made abundantly clear to perpetrators that they will go to jail if they break the rules.
“It’s sending such an egregious message,” said Brown, who has spent more than three decades helping crime victims navigate the justice system after his friend was murdered when he was young.
Brown said: ‘That poor (victim), when she read her impact statement, it was clear how distraught she was at the time.
‘Where is the encouragement for other victims to come forward if we see how perpetrators do not respect court decisions?
“If we really want to address domestic violence, the penalties imposed by the court have to be serious.”
Brendan Howe is pictured during a recent trip to Bali. This week he received a formal warning for going on vacation after his sentencing.
Brendan Howe (pictured) threatened to kill his ex-wife if she left him, a court heard
It is understood Howe traveled to Bali on other occasions between his initial arrest and sentencing, and that he missed supervised visits with his young son last week in favor of his trip abroad.
He declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
His construction business, Homes by Howe, which works on multi-million dollar developments in Canberra, appeared to operate normally during his absence last week.
There were several construction sites surrounded by his company logos, tradesmen were working at different sites, and he was accepting reservations for new clients.
In 2022, Governor General David Hurley was forced to apologize for the “spur of the moment” decision to pose for a photo with Howe at the completion of a private renovation.
Hurley said he had no intention of having his photograph or testimonial used in commercial advertising for Homes by Howe and emphasized that he did not receive any benefits.
Recently sentencing, Judge Louise Taylor said the business had generated “significant income” but he had fallen into debt since the breakdown of his relationship due to legal fees and child support.
Pictured: Brendan Howe (left) with Governor General David Hurley and his wife Linda.
Brendan Howe appears in Canberra on Monday. He pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-wife.
His ex-wife cried and shook uncontrollably as she gave her victim impact statement last week, telling the court: “I was always the woman who said, ‘I will never be with a man who abuses me.’
“When you pinned me against our bedroom door at 34 weeks pregnant, in front of (our daughter), time stopped. I couldn’t believe it was happening and that the man I loved, the father of my children, could actually kill me
‘I tolerated this behavior for so many years because of how much I loved you and how much it hurt for our family unit. I never wanted any of this. I was also afraid of what you would do if I left. I was afraid you would carry out your threats.
The woman said Howe had continually blamed her for his abuse, saying she deserved it because he made the money and had anger issues, and told the court he never apologized to her.
She pleaded with the court to hold Howe accountable for his actions and the way he ruined her sense of security in the world.
Brendan Howe abused his ex-wife for four years, ACT Supreme Court heard
Brendan Howe’s developments can be seen in Canberra’s inner suburbs (pictured)
Judge Taylor described Howe’s comments about his unborn child as “truly horrific”, acknowledged his wife’s trauma and found that she showed no genuine remorse.
“He’s sad for himself,” she said.
“The perpetration of violence, generally by men against their female partners, is a common occurrence in this jurisdiction and throughout the country.”
He said these types of crimes have “life-altering consequences” and that it is rare that a court-imposed sentence in such a case helps victims simply move on and repair their lives.
However, she discovered that he was motivated to change and had good prospects for rehabilitation.
Howe will appear in the ACT Magistrates Court for a further matter on June 24, during which he will be cross-examined.