Coffs Harbour abuser Nigel Stevens jailed for violence against girlfriend

A labourer pushed his partner into a makeshift fence in the centre of Coffs Harbour and pretended to hug her after being caught by an off-duty cop.

Nigel Stevens was sentenced in Coffs Harbour Local Court earlier this month.

A labourer pushed his partner into a makeshift fence in the centre of Coffs Harbour and pretended to hug her after being caught by an off-duty cop.

The appalling conduct was one of two sets of domestic violence offending perpetrated by Coffs Harbour abuser Nigel Stevens in the space of two months earlier this year.

Stevens, 38, was sentenced in Coffs Harbour Local Court this month to up to 16 months behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts of common assault, two counts of convening an apprehended domestic violence order and intimidation.

Document tendered in court state on February 11 Stevens was walking with his partner near the Coffs Harbour CBD when they started having an argument.

Stevens called the victim a “f--king dog” before lunging at her and pushing her into a temporary fence.

Documents state an off-duty police officer told Stevens to “get your hands off her” before the couple pretended to hug in an effort to make it appear as if everything was okay.

Nigel Stevens was handed a to a 16-month jail sentence. Picture: Facebook

“F--k off and mind your own business,” Stevens said.

The offender was charged the following day. Two months later Stevens was with the victim at the Arosa Motel in contravention to the ADVO.

Documents state the couple had an argument where the offender was called a “junkie” before he grabbed the woman’s head and pushed his thumbs into the side of her jaw.

Stevens threw the victim’s belongings into a puddle, before pushing her into a wall and dragging her away from the door when she attempted to leave.

Documents state the victim was able to leave and seek refuge with a friend at the nearby Bells Motel. However, Stevens followed her and when he arrived began yelling abuse at her before police were called to arrest him.

Magistrate Julia Virgo when sentencing Stevens noted his “very poor record for domestic violence”.

“It is difficult to glean anything positive from the sentencing assessment report,” Ms Virgo said.

“You have shown no insight into the impact of the offending on the victim.”

Ms Virgo also noted Stevens had removed himself from a drug and alcohol program due to having “an issue with facilitator”.

With time already served, Stevens will be released on parole in December. The full term will expire in August, 2025.

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