Andrew David Ellery jailed in the Mount Gambier District Court for electrocuting children with cattle prod

A dairy farmer who used a cattle prod to electrocute his young children admits he took disciplining them too far.

A Kongorong father of seven who used a cattle prod to abuse some of his young children has admitted his disciplinary acts went too far, a court has heard.

Andrew David Ellery, 37, who had worked on dairy farms for more than 20 years, was sentenced in the Mount Gambier District Court on Tuesday.

Ellery had previously pleaded guilty to 12 counts of aggravated assault against five of his children in a month-long period in 2019.

Andrew David Ellery jailed in the Mount Gambier District Court for electrocuting children with cattle prod. Picture: Tait Schmaal

During sentencing Judge Gordon Barrett said Ellery threatened five of his children with a cattle prod, including activating the device on their beds and also used it to electrocute three.

“You actually activated the prod against three of your sons who at the time were aged seven, six and four,” Judge Barrett said.

“You agree that you had gone over the top in disciplining the children.”

Judge Barrett said Ellery, who has borderline personality disorder, came from an abusive home and was abused as a child by a family friend, was entitled to a 40 per cent discount for his early guilty pleas.

“This is serious offending, but I appreciate that you have expressed remorse and are fully conscious of the consequences of your behaviour,” he said.

“Were it not for your guilty plea I would have imprisoned you for 10 months.”

Judge Barrett sentenced the father to six months jail, backdated to May 14 this year for time served in custody.

Ellery is set for released next month.

The children no longer live with the man.