Neville William Junior Aspinall in Rockhampton court for assault

A Rockhampton father with an eight-page criminal record punched the mother of his child in the mouth, causing a laceration to her lip, following allegations of infidelity.

Neville William Junior Aspinall, 31, appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on March 31, 2023.

A Rockhampton father with an eight-page criminal record punched the mother of his child in the mouth, causing a laceration to her lip, following allegations of infidelity.

Neville William Junior Aspinall, 31, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on March 31 to four counts of breaching bail conditions, and one count each of contravene direction or requirement of police officer, assaults occasioning bodily harm, common assault, wilful damage, possessing dangerous drugs, enter premises and commit indictable offence and enter premises and commit indictable offence by break.

Police prosecutor acting Senior Constable Booker said the female victim had attended Aspinall’s house on February 19 to return some of his property where they had a conversation about Aspinall’s alleged infidelity and “without warning” he punched her in the mouth.

Acting Senior Constable Booker said the victim suffered a 2-3 cm laceration to the bottom lip, which required stitches.

The court heard Aspinall had also assaulted the victim on January 25 when she wanted a lift, he asked for a kiss, she declined, and he grabbed her by the face and pulled her towards him and caused her nose to bleed.

It was further heard in court that Aspinall became enraged following a dispute about money in February and damaged the interior of the victim’s car.

Acting Senior Constable Booker said Aspinall had been in custody for 21 days.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said her client, who worked as a labourer and had two children, started using pills at the age of 21 and then went on to using methamphetamine.

Ms Legrady said drugs were no longer an issue for him and that he had support from family and friends.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert said it was a “disgraceful thing” Aspinall had done to the mother of his child.

“You need to grow up and take responsibility for your behaviour and change the way you behave when you have conflict in relationships or you are going to spend the rest of your life in and out of jail,” Ms Kahlert said.

Aspinall was sentenced to 18 months’ prison, with parole release on April 11.

He was also fined $100 with criminal convictions recorded.