Geelong man Andrew Cumming, 51, sentenced for unlawful assault after “spitting” at ex partner

A Geelong professional who spat at his former partner in front of their daughters and called her a “crazy Japanese chick” has been sentenced, with the attack described as “extraordinarily humiliating”.

A Geelong man who spat on his former wife in front of their daughters and called her a “crazy Japanese chick” has been sentenced.

Andrew Cumming, 51, pleaded guilty to unlawful assault after the attack at his Belmont residence on August 27 last year.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Chris Sinfield told Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday after arriving at the address at 8.45pm to collect their kids, the victim heard Mr Cumming talking loudly to the children “telling them to go and grab your s***.”

He then became verbally abusive towards the victim “calling her a crazy Japanese chick”.

“The victim asked the accused if he was drunk, to which he replied ‘f*** you’,” Constable Sinfield said.

Andrew Cumming, 51, plead guilty to unlawful assault and contravention of a family violence order at the Geelong Magistrates Court.

“The accused continued to abuse the victim yelling at her to get off the property.”

The court heard Mr Cumming then approached the victim, forcing her to say “don’t touch me” as she moved away.

“The accused continued to approach the victim, blocking her from getting into her vehicle and forcing her to walk on the road,” Constable Sinfield said.

“The victim told the accused she would call the police which caused the accused to retreat into his house at which point he spat at her.”

The accused and the aggrieved family member have separated.

Defence lawyer Mel Cox said her client had a university education and earned between $1500-2000 a week.

She argued his early guilty plea demonstrated remorse.

“There are good prospects of rehabilitation given his age and engagement with professional work,” she said.

Magistrate Ann McGarvie said his two prior convictions, including another assault against the victim, displayed a “very low opinion of women”.

“Family violence at its root is really demonstrating disdain and disregard for the partner,” she said.

“Calling her a crazy Japanese chick, verbally abusing her and spitting on her which is extraordinarily humiliating.

“It’s way, way more than just anger, it’s having a very low opinion of women.”
She also expressed dismay that the offence was committed in front of the couple’s two young children.

“They are learning that this is normal, that it is normal for a man to berate and belittle and spit at his wife, or ex wife,” Magistrate McGarvie said.

He was convicted and placed on a supervised community corrections order for 18 months and fined $400.

Originally published as Geelong man Andrew Cumming, 51, sentenced for unlawful assault after “spitting” at ex partner