Lake Cargelligo alleged killer Julian Ingram previously convicted for grabbing family member by throat | New South Wales

Julian Ingram was convicted of grabbing a family member by the throat after she made a comment about his children four years before he allegedly murdered three people and went on the run.

Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, is suspected of shooting dead his pregnant former partner Sophie Quinn, her new boyfriend and her aunt last month in Lake Cargelligo, about 450km west of Sydney. The 37-year-old was later seen leaving the town in a white single-cab Ford Ranger.

Police are facing scrutiny over the decision to grant Ingram bail for allegedly assaulting Quinn two months before he allegedly murdered her. Police have repeatedly said a risk assessment found he did not pose an unacceptable risk and that Ingram had previously complied with court orders.

Court documents show that in 2021, shortly before Christmas, Ingram visited one of his family members and her partner. They had been drinking alcohol together before he suddenly became “angry and very aggressive” towards the family member.

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“The victim was talking about Christmas plans and presents which had been purchased for the witnesses’ children, and unexpectedly the accused suddenly became angry and very aggressive towards the victim,” the police facts state.

A claim about seeing his own child led the slightly intoxicated victim to make a “smart reply” before Ingram spat on the family member, according to the facts sheet. After she made another comment, he grabbed her by the throat.

According to the fact sheet, Ingram told police after the incident “as I said it was a bit of a family feud, I took it too far”.

Ingram pleaded guilty to one count of assault and was convicted in early 2022. He was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order. He was also served an apprehended violence order, which prohibited him from approaching the family member within 12 hours of consuming drugs or alcohol.

Since 2014, Ingram has had six AVOs issued against him relating to five different people. This included Quinn, whom he is now accused of murdering.

Court documents show that Quinn had an apprehended domestic violence order taken out against him in December. It was due to be reviewed in court on 3 February.

Police granted Ingram bail on 30 November for domestic violence-related charges. As part of his bail conditions, he was required to report to the Lake Cargelligo police station daily and to abide by the AVO.

Ingram had pleaded not guilty to one count of stalking and harassment with the intention to cause physical harm, one count of common assault, and one count of damaging or destroying property.

Another woman had an AVO against him on two occasions. The second lasted two years.

Ingram had a relationship with another woman shortly before he started seeing Quinn. There are no court records relating to this former partner.

On Monday, police announced that the alleged “full domestic violence history” of Ingram and his access to firearms would be examined as part of a critical incident investigation to be overseen by the police watchdog.

New South Wales police said this would form part of a broader investigation into how police had handled the investigation into the alleged murders.

“Following inquiries, officers commenced Strike Force Doberta to investigate the incident and issued an arrest warrant for Julian Ingram over the alleged murders,” police said in a statement on Monday.

“As part of these inquiries, police have declared a critical incident investigation to ensure all actions and investigations of the NSW police adhered to the legislation, policy and guidelines.”

A large-scale manhunt for Ingram continues, with police saying last week they were “confident” he was still alive. On Monday, police said he may have been to a rural property 3km south of Mount Hope on Kidman Way between 25 and 26 January.

– Additional reporting by Nino Bucci

In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Women’s Aid. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org.