Brenton Ludgate jailed for brutal assault of partner at West Beach
A butcher who pinned his ex-partner against a car and choked her until she began to lose consciousness did so to “settle her down”, a court heard.
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A father has been jailed for choking a woman until she began to lose consciousness.
Brenton Martin Ludgate, 35, acted atrociously in front of friends who were forced to intervene.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard Ludgate and the victim, who share a son, had previously been in a relationship.
Ludgate and the victim were at a West Beach cabin in September, 2021 when they argued.
“You came outside the cabin, charged towards the complainant and grabbed her by the throat,” Magistrate Simon Smart said during sentencing.
“She fell against a motor vehicle parked outside the cabin. You pinned her against the car and she could not move.
“You had your hands firmly around her neck.”
The court heard the victim started losing consciousness.
“Your friends were trying to get you off the victim but you were overpowering them,” Mr Smart said.’’
Police arrested Ludgate at Happy Valley.
“You stated your intention when grabbing her was to settle her down,” Mr Smart said.
The court heard the victim suffered pain, swelling and bruising.
Ludgate, who was initially charged with choking, pleaded guilty to assault.
The court heard Ludgate had previously received a suspended sentence for drug trafficking.
“You have struggled with methamphetamine use.” Mr Smart said.
The court heard Ludgate, who is trained as a butcher, had a “toxic and dysfunctional” relationship with the victim.
“A minor disagreement escalated quickly out of control, you acted in a thoroughly unacceptable way,” Mr Smart said.
“This would have been a frightening and serious episode.”
Mr Smart sentenced Ludgate to four months jail.
He ordered Ludgate be released after serving two months on a 12-month, $500 good behaviour bond, with supervision.
The sentence was backdated to April 11.
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