Garrett Martin Batkines pleaded guilty to spitting, strangling woman in horror three-month period of abuse

A Bundaberg labourer subjected a woman to a horrific three months of abuse including spitting in her face, strangling her and whipping her in the shower, a Bundaberg court heard.

Garrett Martin Batkines pleaded guilty to a series of brutal and degrading assaults over a three-month period including spitting in her face and whipping her with a belt while she was in the shower.

A labourer subjected a woman to a series of brutal and degrading assaults over a three-month period including spitting in her face and whipping her with a belt while she was in the shower, a Bundaberg court heard.

Garrett Martin Batkines pleaded guilty in Bundaberg District Court on Thursday to three counts of common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm, strangulation and wilful damage.

The court heard Batkines and the woman engaged in an argument while Batkines was drunk, which escalated when he threw a carton of beer through the windscreen of the woman’s car.

Batkines then repeatedly punched and kicked the woman to her face and body, causing her to fall to the floor.

The court heard Batkines climbed on top of the woman and strangled her to the point of restricting her breathing.

He then continued to kick and punch the woman for a period of time before walking away.

When the woman was taking a shower following the assault, Batkines pulled back the curtain and whipped her three times with a belt, the court heard.

Three days later Batkines assaulted the woman again while drunk, kicking her in the ribs and punching her in the face.

Judge Brad Farr SC told Batkines his behaviour in relation to the charges heard before the court was “disgraceful”.

The court heard Batkines had also spat in the woman’s face three times.

Batkines has a criminal history including assault, the court heard.

Batkines’ defence barrister, Wesley Seewald, said his client struggled with drug use throughout his adult life including methylamphetamine, and was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The court heard Batkines experienced domestic violence in his childhood, and has worked as a labourer throughout his adult life with a job available to him working at a landscaping company on his release from custody.

In sentencing, Judge Brad Farr SC told Batkines his behaviour in relation to the charges heard before the court was “disgraceful”.

“It is beyond my comprehension why you think any female should be subjected to your whims and desires and wishes,” Judge Farr said.

“Why your thoughts are more important than theirs, or why your wishes are more important than theirs, all of that is a complete and utter mystery to me.”

Batkines received a head sentence of three years and six months imprisonment.

With time served in pre-sentence custody, Batkines will be eligible for parole on January 16, 2024.