Manifold Heights man Nick Novak, 60, made sexist remark to ex’s daughter at Geelong hospital

A Manifold Heights man who made a sexist remark towards his ex’s daughter and squirted water at her at Geelong hospital has been dubbed a “pig” by a magistrate.

Nick Novak, 60, leaving the Geelong Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to assault.

A Manifold Heights man who told his ex’s daughter she had a “fat arse” and squirted water at her at Geelong hospital has been dubbed a “pig” by a magistrate.

Nick Novak, 60, pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to assault and was sentenced to a good behaviour bond.

Novak was at Geelong hospital for an appointment on December 14 when he ran into the daughter of a woman he used to date.

Novak saw his ex’s daughter in the hallway at the hospital and shouted, “Is that you? I didn’t recognise you with your fat arse.”

Police Prosecutor Senior Constable Kerrie-Ann Moroney said Novak attempted to have a conversation with the victim, but she told him to leave.

“The accused continued calling the victim names before leaving the area after a short time,” Constable Moroney said.

“The accused returned and, when he approached the victim, he squished a cup of water, which went all over her face,” she said.

The court heard Novak ran out of the hospital after the incident and was interviewed by police on December 27.

He gave no comment, the court heard.

Magistrate Ann McGarvie asked Novak’s lawyer, Karla Hand, what led him to “be such a pig” to his ex’s daughter.

Ms Hand said the “fat arse” comment was “unsolicited and not needed.”

She told the court Novak was praying in the prayer room of the hospital when he noticed the victim and tried to say hello, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year before she walked away. Ms Hand said her client was offended that she walked away, which resulted in him making the lewd comment.

Ms McGarvie said she wanted Novak to look at her so he could see her displeasure.

“I’m so sick of men wanting to control women and then when they don’t get what they want, they comment on our physical appearance,” she said.

Ms Hand said Novak was in the hospital for an appointment as a result of a heart attack he suffered last May.

She said he had found God since the health scare.

She told the court her client was an active member of the Manifold Heights Baptist Church and was now a “man of God”.

Ms McGarvie sentenced Novak to an adjourned undertaking for a period of three months.

Originally published as Manifold Heights man Nick Novak, 60, made sexist remark to ex’s daughter at Geelong hospital