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Warning: This story contains the names and images of Indigenous people who have died.
The man accused of murdering his pregnant ex-partner, her aunt, and another man in NSW’s Central West region was previously convicted of assault after spitting on a woman and grabbing her by the throat.
Julian Ingram allegedly shot dead Sophie Quinn, 24, her aunt, Nerida Quinn, 50, and her friend, John Harris, 32 on January 22 in Lake Cargelligo. Kaleb Macqueen, 19, was also seriously injured.
Quinn was due to give birth in less than two months. Ingram was on bail for assault charges relating to Quinn at the time.
Ingram is alleged to have fled the scene in a Lachlan Shire Council ute, sparking an extensive manhunt. He has yet to be found despite a weeks-long search.
Newly released court documents detail Ingram’s prior conviction for domestic-violence related assault.
On December 19, 2021, Ingram went to the home of a woman and her partner in Lake Cargelligo for drinks. He was “moderately intoxicated” according to court documents, when he became “enraged” over the woman’s plans to buy Christmas gifts for family members.
“Unexpectedly, the accused suddenly became very angry and very aggressive toward the victim. He pointed a finger at her and [made aggressive remarks],” court documents state.
He became “enraged”, jumping up from his chair to lean over the victim, shouting. When the victim rose to stand her ground, Ingram spat at her. The woman cannot be named for legal reasons.
“The saliva landed all over the victim’s face and made her feel extremely disgusted,” court records note.
He continued to verbally berate her before he “flew across the table”, grabbing the woman by the throat with one hand and forming a fist with the other, drawing it back, causing her to believe he was about to hit her.
The victim pushed his hand off her neck before her partner pulled them apart, pushing Ingram up against a wall. Her shirt tore in the process.
The victim reported the incident to police five days later on Christmas Eve, noting her “fear of retaliation” from Ingram stopped her from reporting it sooner.
She was granted an Apprehended Violence Order. Ingram later pleaded guilty to assault and was issued a community corrections order expiring in October 2023.
The conviction details raise further questions about Ingram’s release on bail weeks before the alleged triple murders.
Ingram had allegedly assaulted Quinn around the time the pair had separated, and was charged with stalking and common assault. He was released on bail on November 30 because his charges didn’t meet the threshold for new bail laws to keep him in custody.
He had pleaded not guilty and was due to face Lake Cargelligo Local Court on February 3.
The new bail laws were introduced following the domestic violence murder of Molly Ticehurst, designed to make it harder for men accused of serious domestic violence offences to be released back into the community.
Ticehurst was murdered by her former partner, Daniel Billings, in April 2024. Billings was on bail for three counts of rape and four counts of stalking or intimidating the 28-year-old.
Police continue to search for Ingram. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
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Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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