David Walsh, 51, of Lara, pleads guilty to kicking woman in ribs, and sending death threats

A Lara man spat at a woman, and also kicked her in the ribs on Christmas Eve.

David Walsh, 51, of Lara, sent threatening messages to a woman, and also kicked her in the ribs while she was on the ground.

A Lara man kicked a woman in the ribs, spat on her and grabbed her by the hair during an alcohol fuelled Christmas Eve assault.

David Walsh also sent the woman an aggressive text message saying: “Watch your back sl-t, cause I’m going to kill you”.

The 51-year-old pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday to assault related charges, as well as making threats to kill.

The court heard Walsh had not touched alcohol for nearly four years, but decided to have a drink while at his Lara home with a woman on December 24, 2023.

After finishing the drink he became verbally aggressive towards the woman.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Stephanie Drake said Walsh forcefully grabbed the victim by the hair, threw her on the floor, stood over her, and kicked her in the ribs.

Constable Drake said Walsh also spat on the victim before he leaving the property.

After the assault Walsh sent a number of harassing texts and voicemails to the victim.

At 1.34am he left an angry voicemail and said: “I’m going to kill you, you f------ sl-t”.

Walsh’s lawyer, Bill Sizeland, said his client had a history of alcohol abuse but had been managing to control it.

The court heard Walsh hadn’t been drinking for four years and had been suffering stress and depression.

After consuming alcohol on Christmas Eve, it “brought out the demon within again”.

“In terms of threats, he wasn’t thinking rationally at the time he was alcohol affected and directed by his emotions,” Mr Sizeland said.

Walsh will next appear in court January 29.

Originally published as David Walsh, 51, of Lara, pleads guilty to kicking woman in ribs, and sending death threats