Editor’s Note: This article has been amended after Tone Deaf staff found several factual errors. The updated version has been verified against a transcript from the Supreme Court of New South Wales available here.
The local punk scene is reeling with the news that singer/songwriter Frankie McLaughlin [pictured above at centre] from Celt-folk punk band The Rumjacks has reportedly been jailed for 16 months, with an additional parole period of twelve months, in relation to an incident of domestic violence; one which, incredibly, is reported to have taken place almost two years ago.
In the two years since McLaughlin was initially charged, The Rumjacks have been seemingly on the rise, releasing their debut album Gangs Of New Holland through Laughing Outlaw Records / Inertia, landing themselves coveted support slots with Dropkick Murphys and Guttermouth as well as being the first band signed to new ABC Music imprint FOUR | FOUR.
McLaughlin was sentenced for three offences: an assault occasioning actual bodily harm committed on 2nd March 2010; a further assault occasioning actual bodily harm committed on 18th August 2010; and a common assault committed on 26th September 2010.
According to the court transcript, the first assault incident involved McLaughlin and his then de facto partner when the two lived in the Blue Mountains. Following an argument, McLaughlin dragged his partner off her bed by her feet, causing her to fall from the bed, and injure her lip and jaw.
The second incident also occurred during an argument. McLaughlin hit his partner “to the side of the head near her eye, causing an injury there. The offence also indirectly caused bruising to her elbow and knee.”
The third incident took place during an argument about an apprehended violence order (AVO) that was already in place to protect McLaughlin’s partner from the singer. McLaughlin “grabbed the victim by the hair and dragged her” from her son’s bedroom, then “grabbed her by the throat, and as a result she fell to the floor”.
The court transcript details the psychological effects the assaults had on McLaughlin’s former partner, including “severe panic attacks”, which continued years after she and McLaughlin split, including during his trial.
The court heard that McLaughing had suffered from a “serious problem with alcohol and control of his anger”, for which he sought counselling, as well as the details of his previous criminal record, which included an assault on another woman with whom he was in a relationship.
Two hours ago The Manning Bar in Sydney posted a note on Facebook in regards to The Rumjacks slated support of Alabama 3 this evening: “We have just been informed that due to unforeseen circumstances The Rumjacks have had to pull out of their support gig tonight. The Bullets Blues will now open for Alabama 3 tonight at Manning Bar.”
No doubt there will be statements forthcoming from the band’s label, associated venues and representatives in due course.
