Roma Magistrates Court: Serial abuser with 14 prior convictions pleads guilty to breaching protection order, assault, wilful damage

A 27-year-old Roma man with a history of violence against women is back in court with his 15th domestic violence offence in less than three years.

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A serial domestic violence abuser has landed back in court for his appalling behaviour after he breached a protection order and assaulted a woman.

A 27-year-old Roma man pleaded guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to common assault, contravening a domestic violence order and wilful damage.

Police prosecutor Mathew Donnelly said on September 1 at 2.20pm police attended a Bowen St address in relation to a domestic violence matter.

Police located the male defendant and the aggrieved female at the front of the address.

Both told police they believed the domestic violence order between them had expired, which was accepted by police despite checks showing it was still in place.

“She stated an argument happened when she got off work, she found the four children had not been fed yet and the youngest child was in a soiled nappy,” Mr Donnelly said.

“She told the defendant this was unacceptable. The argument escalated from there.

“The defendant smashed a small television… then went into the lounge room and picked up the PlayStation gaming console and was about to throw it at the large bedroom TV.

“However (he) stopped and the aggrieved continued screaming to get out which he has refused to do.”

The aggrieved showed officers a video confirming her allegations and also showed the defendant grabbing her and pushing her.

When police spoke with the defendant, he admitted to damaging the TV and said he would only ‘cop’ the wilful damage charge.

“Police put the allegations to him and told him about the existence of the video, he then disclosed to police the aggrieved had stabbed him and gone crazy at him last night,” Mr Donnelly said.

“He agreed to go to the police station for an interview but he changed his mind once at the police station.”

istock generic: woman, abuse, DV, domestic violence, harassment, sexual harassment. Parent is holding her little girls arm and is about to use violence. Representing child abuse and domestic violence. . Picture: istock

Mr Donnelly said he declined to provide a full statement to the allegations of the aggrieved stabbing him.

“He told police he wanted to have his side heard, the aggrieved came home to him asleep and accused him of not feeding the kids even though he stated he made spaghetti and it was cooling,” the prosecutor said.

“He got angry at the aggrieved and threw a light at the TV to smash it, then stated he threatened to break the other TV because he thought if he was going to go to jail he may as well break it.

“The defendant stated he was about to hurt her further but decided not to because he was trying to change.

“Unfortunately in my view, he’s conceiting what is unable to be refuted.

“Initially, ‘we just had an argument, nothing to see here, move on’. As more information comes out, which arguably can’t be refuted in the form of video, he starts disclosing further information.

“He’s downplaying the seriousness of the event.”

Mr Donnelly said the defendant had 14 prior domestic violence convictions, primarily against the same aggrieved ranging from technical breaches to actual violence.

The court was told the defendant had assaulted the same woman back in 2019 which was witnessed by relatives and neighbours.

Defence lawyer Laurie Parker said his client only pushed the aggrieved because she was blocking him from leaving.

“In this incident, he does check himself when it comes to throwing the PlayStation at the large TV, he does stop that,” Mr Parker said.

“He doesn’t go ahead with that, I don’t deny the aggrieved would’ve been frightened. Then he goes to try and leave the premises.”

Mr Parker said his client suffered from depression and schizophrenia and two of his children have died.

“He hasn’t worked because he’s been in and out of custody,” he said.

“He’s done jobs like mowing and mango picking when he’s not been in custody.”

Magistrate Shane Elliott handed the man a head sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment, with the 12 days of pre-sentence custody declared as time served.

A parole release date was fixed for December 22, 2023.

All convictions were recorded.