Zachary Gates pleads guilty to unlawfully assaulting a woman in the back of an Uber

A Norlane man who showed up to a woman’s house drunk, then later physically assaulted her in the back of an Uber has faced court.

Zachary Gates showed up to a woman’s house drunk, then later physically assaulted her in the back of an Uber.

A Norlane man who physically assaulted a woman in the back of a taxi, leaving a trail of blood on the nature strip, had a “clear history of alcohol abuse”, a court has heard.

Zachary Gates, 24, pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Thursday to unlawful assault, possessing an imitation firearm and intentionally destroying property.

Gates was in a relationship with a woman in her 40s from Ballarat when he showed up to her home drunk on September 5, last year.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Kiley Gray said Gates was banging loudly on the door between 6pm and 7pm and refused to leave.

The court heard the woman went with him to a pub to keep him away from her home and child.

Just before 11.30pm, Gates and the woman were picked up from the Ballarat pub by an Uber driver, who took them to Gates’ address in Norlane.

Constable Gray said an argument broke out between Gates and the woman during the drive.

The court heard Gates elbowed and punched the woman in the face and chest, causing bruising and swelling.

The assault was also captured on camera.

When the driver arrived at Gates’ address, the assault continued with Gates holding the victim down and pushing her out of the vehicle onto the nature strip.

“Blood was later photographed by police, and the driver called triple-0,” Constable Gray said.

When police arrived, Gates refused to open the door and police forced their way into the house and arrested him.

Police also found an imitation firearm in his possession.

He was transferred to the Geelong police station in a van and kicked the windows of the vehicle.

Gates’ lawyer said his client had been diagnosed with an alcohol-use disorder and wanted to close this chapter in his life.

Magistrate Peter Mellas sentenced Gates to a 12-month community-corrections order.

“It’s clear alcohol has been a problem for you. You’ve been in trouble before, it’s time to do something about it. You are still young enough and capable to make changes,” Mr Mellas said.

Originally published as Zachary Gates pleads guilty to unlawfully assaulting a woman in the back of an Uber