Adam Howard in Taree court for breaching AVO
A man who discovered his ex-girlfriend became involved with his cousin before he unleashed a “bombardment” of messages – on one occasion sending her 70 texts in one day – has attempted to get off on mental health grounds.
A man who discovered his ex-girlfriend became involved with his cousin before he unleashed a “bombardment” of messages – on one occasion sending her 70 texts in one day – has attempted to get off on mental health grounds.
Adam Howard appeared in Taree Local Court on Tuesday in an attempt to have his matter dealt with under the mental health system.
Howard is charged with contravening an apprehended domestic violence order.
Police allege he discovered his ex-partner became involved with his cousin which prompted him to send the barrage of texts.
The repeated contact was in contravention of an existing apprehended domestic violence order designed to protect her from him, it was heard in court.
“The breach was not a one-off, it was essentially a bombardment,” the prosecutor said.
Howard’s lawyer conceded he sent an “inordinate” number of messages but urged Magistrate Allison Hawkins to divert the matter from the criminal system and for it to be dealt with under the mental health system – under Section 14 of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 NSW.
Howard has been seeing a psychologist fortnightly to help with his behaviour and has “no intention of relaxing that regime,” his lawyer told the court
The woman who he had sent the messages to was in court and “looking at reconnecting” with Howard, his lawyer said.
But Ms Hawkins said his behaviour went “above and beyond any mental health condition”.
The court heard that on one occasion he sent 70 messages in one day.
Ms Hawkins said Howard was “manipulative - pulling at emotional levers” and reminded him that an AVO is “not just a piece of paper” .
She rejected the application to divert the matter and Howard formally entered a guilty plea to the charge of contravening an apprehended domestic violence order.
She ordered a report assessing Howard’s suitability for community service and adjourned the matter for sentencing on December 5.
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Originally published as Adam Howard in Taree court for breaching AVO
