Byron Shire's Brent William Hallard withdraws headbutting pleas, charges dismissed

A Byron Shire artist has withdrawn all guilty pleas after being accused of assault and breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO) by headbutting a woman.

Hallard outside Byron Bay Court House last November.

A Byron Shire artist has withdrawn all guilty pleas after being accused of assault and breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO) by headbutting a woman.

Brent William Hallard told Byron Bay Local Court last November that he was just "trying to kiss her" - the alleged victim - when their heads collided.

Hallard pleaded guilty to breaching an AVO and common assault at the time - but those charges have since been dismissed, it has been confirmed.

Byron Shire artist’s dubious headbutt ‘kiss’ claim falls flat

November 1, 2023: Brent William Hallard pleaded guilty at Byron Bay Local Court on Monday to breaching an apprehended violence order and common assault.

The 65-year-old and the victim were having a few drinks before they began arguing about cooking and other issues about 7pm on July 8, the court was told.

“Hallard approached the woman and used his head to hit the victim in the face,” police state in court documents.

Hallard was later cleared of all charges.

“The victim retreated to the bathroom and locked the door to get away from Hallard.”

Police were called and arrived at the house as the woman was about to leave. They saw she had a wound on the bridge of her nose that was bleeding.

The woman told officers Hallard left after he headbutted her and her glasses hit her face during the attack.

Hallard returned and denied headbutting the woman. He told officers he was “trying to kiss her and their heads must have collided”.

Hallard outside Byron Bay Court House last November.

Police arrested Hallard and interviewed him at Byron Bay Police Station.

Hallard told police the woman said she may leave him, so he grabbed her for a hug and she exclaimed: “Don’t touch me”, “I don’t feel safe” and “I don’t feel comfortable”.

Hallard told police he went in for a kiss anyway.

“Police believe the actions of Hallard, based on his own account, are at minimum reckless,” the documents state.

Police at Byron Bay Police Station didn’t believe Hallard’s side of the story.

The headbutt claim did not prove convincing: “Police do not believe it to be an accidental innocent collision of heads.”

Magistrate Karen Stafford told the court the assault put Hallard in breach of an apprehended violence order put in place on March 8.

The case has been adjourned to November 20.