Custody officer Damian Charles McRae sentenced for assaulting daughter

A custody officer who was witnessed bashing his teenage daughter has pleaded guilty to the assault but will only have to pay fines.

A custody officer escaped a conviction in court after he was witnessed by a hospital worker bashing his daughter.

Damian Charles McRae, 56, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in the Adelaide Magistrates Court for the incident occurring on November 3 at Glenelg South.

McRae's stalking charge was dropped in court in February, after he was accused of following a witness to the assault.

At the time, Kevin Lowe, prosecuting, said McRae would likely be issued with a caution for the stalking charge instead.

During McRae’s bail application in January, the court heard a witness, who worked at the hospital next door to where Mr McRae lived, saw him assault his teenage daughter.

Custody officer Damian McRae leaving the Adelaide Magistrates Court at an earlier appearance. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Damian McRae had his stalking charge dropped. Picture: NCA NewsWire

She then gave a statement to police.

The court heard McRae allegedly drove past the witness’ house on two occasions and followed her home from work to a tyre fitter.

Daniel Weekley, for McRae, told the court during the bail application his client was a custody officer and was unsafe in prison as a result.

The court heard McRae, whose employment was suspended after the arrest, only lasted a few hours in general population before he was put in isolation.

Magistrate Justin Wickens granted McRae home detention bail, saying it would be extremely difficult for him to be in that type of custodial environment.

On Thursday, McRae, of Morphett Vale, was sentenced without conviction for the charge but ordered to pay $810 in Victims of Crime levy and $150 in prosecution costs.