Sajan Bede Skillen faces Mackay court for DV assault

A court has heard a young father was drinking all day before assaulting the mother of his kids requiring her to leave their home with deep cuts to the back of her head.

Sajan Bede Skillen faced Mackay Magistrates Court after hurling a mobile phone at his partner's head.

A man hurled his mobile phone at his partner with such force it caused her to bleed “profusely”.

It was all over an argument about social media.

Sajan Bede Skillen faced Mackay Magistrates Court over the incident which took place at a Sarina home on August 26.

Skillen earlier pleaded guilty to the charges of contravening a domestic violence order aggravated offence, as well as assault causing bodily harm domestic violence.

The court heard Skillen had a history of domestic violence offending for which he was previously given fines and probation orders.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Linden Pollard said the victim had to leave the home after the assault and an ambulance was called.

Mr Pollard requested Magistrate John Aberdeen impose a jail sentence to “denounce” Skillen’s behaviour and reflect “the nature of the injury”.

ATSILS defence solicitor Paul Broughton said his 21-year-old client had been in a relationship with the victim for about five years and they shared two children, aged one and three.

Mr Broughton presented a letter written by Skillen’s “supportive older sister” stating she would again support her brother and allow him to live with her.

“Mr Skillen’s remorse does indeed appear to be genuine,” Mr Broughton said, adding his partner had phoned ATSILS “a number of times” saying she did not want Skillen jailed as they had children together.

Sajan Bede Skillen faced Mackay Magistrates Court after hurling a mobile phone at his partner's head.

Mr Aberdeen, who examined colour photographs of deep cuts to the back of the victim’s head, said the injuries were significant and indicated the phone was “thrown with a substantial degree of force”.

“You were grossly intoxicated, you had begun drinking at 8am that morning,” Mr Aberdeen told Skillen.

He added this was Skillen’s fifth time in court for breaching domestic violence orders with his behaviour showing he was immature and impulsive.

“You have to smarten up your act,” Mr Aberdeen said.

Skillen earlier pleaded guilty to the charges of contravening a domestic violence order aggravated offence, as well as assault causing bodily harm domestic violence.

Mr Aberdeen sentenced Skillen on Thursday, October 13, to six months jail with immediate release after having served 42 days in pre-sentence custody.

The balance of Skillen’s previous sentence will “(hang) over (his) head for the next 15 months”, Mr Aberdeen said.

Skillen was also fined $350 for possessing used utensils or pipes and possessing dangerous drugs.