Cody Keith Gregory Richardson pleads guilty in Roma District Court to assault causing bodily harm and common assault

A 20-year-old Roma man who assaulted his ex-girlfriend twice in a jealous rage has been sentenced in the District Court.

Domestic violence generic hands up

A Roma man who assaulted his ex-girlfriend in a jealous rage on two separate occasions has fronted the judge for his behaviour.

Cody Keith Gregory Richardson pleaded guilty in Roma District Court to assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault, which were both domestic violence offences.

Crown prosecutor Ashleigh Wakefield said on June 24 and November 19 2022, Richardson assaulted his ex-girlfriend at two separate Roma pubs.

“The complainant and defendant had an intimate relationship for approximately four years leading up to the offending on the 24th June, that’s the offence that is count one,” Ms Wakefield said.

“The complainant and defendant attended the Commonwealth Hotel at Roma. Whilst there the complainant embraced a male friend.

“That embrace was observed by the defendant who approached the pair and grabbed the complainant by the right wrist and brought her into a nearby hallway. Whilst there he questioned her as to what she was doing.”

The court was told a verbal argument ensued before Richardson pushed the complainant backwards, with the complainant pushing him back to protect herself.

“The defendant pinned the complainant against the wall with one hand on her left shoulder and the other holding her right wrist,” she said.

“He squeezed her right wrist. She was wearing a bracelet at the time and felt the bracelet push into her skin.

“He held her right wrist for approximately 20 seconds and that caused significant bruising to her wrist.

“That incident culminated in the end of their relationship.”

The second incident happened five months later on November 19 at the Club Hotel where the complainant attended with her new partner.

“The defendant was also there with a group of his associates. There was a verbal altercation between the defendant and the new partner,” Ms Wakefield said.

“The defendant has approached the new partner, the complainant has stood in between the defendant and the new partner, the defendant has pushed her backwards.

“He’s then been removed by his uncle and approximately two minutes later he has come back to the complainant and new partner.

“She’s again stepped in between the defendant and the new partner, the defendant has used closed fists to push the complainant out the way.”

Two days later the complainant attended the Roma police station to report both incidents.

Richardson first spoke with police on November 24 2022 and was charged on January 23 this year.

A victim impact statement was provided to the court which outlined how the offending has had an impact on her feelings on personal security.

Defence barrister Jens Streit said while his client regrets his behaviour, this offending is “very different” from more serious forms of violence.

“(In the second incident) The complainant wasn’t the focus. He has reacted in a way to push her out the way, effectively so he could continue his demonstration - I think this is an important feature of this matter,” Mr Streit said.

“There was no intention to assault her… an assault occurred of course because he pushed her out the way, but your honour will glean from the facts there was shoving back and forwards between the various two… the matter dissipated very quickly.”

Mr Streit said five character references from friends and family were provided to the court which speak of Richardson’s good character.

He said his client has no criminal history and has not appeared for any offending before in the District Court.

“He was barely an adult at the time of the first offence, he was 18, he was nearly turning 19 at the time,” he said.

“The offending occurred in circumstances where the defendant was unable to regulate his emotions in relation to what he observed.”

Mr Streit told the court Richardson now lives on the Sunshine Coast with a new partner and works as a bartender.

“Time has moved on for him in terms of the circumstances.”

Judge Ken Barlow said it was clear these incidents happened as a result of Richardson’s “emotional immaturity”.

“It seems to me both of those incidents arose because of your jealousy. Jealous she might have friendships with other men and jealousy she had a relationship with another person,” Mr Barlow said.

“I accept young men, particularly at the end of a long relationship, can have severe emotional reactions to the ending of that relationship.

“It seems to me that your actions on both of these occasions were the actions of an immature young man. Both occasions I suspect you had been drinking.

“For a man to assault a woman is a terrible thing even in the heat of anger or emotion or jealousy. I hope you have learnt from this.”

Richardson was handed a 12 month probation order and no conviction was recorded.