Coffs Coast man Bowen Hedges jailed after brutal domestic violence attack on ex-partner

A Coffs Coast man told his ex he was a murderer before a sickening domestic violence attack. He was later found naked on the floor, soaked in sweat.

Bowen Hedges has been sent to jail after a brutal domestic violence assault in a Coffs Harbour home. Picture: Facebook

A violent Coffs Coast man who bashed his ex in her home, punching and headbutting her, told the woman he was a murderer and had just “shot three people and a police officer”.

Responding police officers found Bowen Hedges lying naked on the floor after the terrifying attack, during which the victim begged him to leave her alone, Coffs Harbour Local Court was told.

“Please stop, I’m not going to survive this,” she said.

“Please stop for my mum, my dad and my kids.”

Hedges, 40, pleaded guilty in the court on Tuesday over video link to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault (domestic violence) and two counts of stalking/intimidating.

‘I’m not going to survive this’

Hedges showed up at his ex’s Coffs Harbour home on the night of May 15, court documents reveal.

He demanded to be let in – claiming he had crashed his car and gone on a murderous rampage just before midnight.

Bowen Hedges faced Coffs Harbour Local Court after a violent attack on his ex-partner. Picture: Facebook

“I’ve killed two of my mates. It’s your fault. I’ve shot three people and a police officer. I’ll put a bullet in your head,” he said.

Hedges told the woman he was carrying a pistol, bashed at the door and threatened to kill her before she let him in.

Hedges grabbed the victim by the ears and said: “It’s your fault, are you listening? I’ll put you to sleep.”

He punched the woman twice, striking her eye socket, before he headbutted her.

The victim “felt dizzy and saw lights” and was almost knocked unconscious.

The victim begged for Hedges to stop, court documents state.

Hedges replied: “That’s not enough for me”.

He put himself on top of the woman and pinned her down with his hands.

Hedges pinned the woman down and bashed her.

Hedges punched her in the face again while she was not able to move or defend herself.

The woman tried to get up and smashed a bedroom window with a child’s toy during the attack, cutting her hand.

A concerned neighbour heard the assault and phoned triple-000 for help.

Police arrived about 12.30am to find the victim running from the home crying and screaming.

She told officers: “He’s in there, he’s in there.”

Police found Hedges fully naked on the mattress soaked with sweat and arrested him.

The victim suffered a facial fracture as a result of the horrendous violence, as well as swelling, bruising and cuts.

‘Generational violence’

Defence lawyer Tony Cox told the court Hedges was impacted by “generational family issues”.

“His grandmother shot his grandfather dead as a result of domestic violence,” he said.

“He comes from severe social disadvantage … he suffers from mental health issues and addiction.”

Mr Cox alleged in court Hedges’ physically abusive father sold and used drugs intravenously.

He said Hedges’ claims he murdered friends and police were “fiction”.

“He was not in a good condition, he hardly recalls the incident. He was arrested naked on the floor,” Mr Cox said.

Hedges has been jailed following the brutal DV attack. Picture: Facebook

But the lawyer said Hedges’ state of mind at the time “didn’t take away from the severity of the attack”, which he described as spontaneous and unplanned.

The court heard Hedges’ criminal history included similar matters and he had been “in and out (of prison) since 2013”, serving “very hard” time.

“He was stabbed in the forehead in custody and suffered a heart attack after having Covid,” Mr Cox said.

Hedges was placed in protective custody after the stabbing.

‘He himself has become the abuser’

Magistrate Theresa Hamilton said Hedges’ murder claims would have been extremely frightening for his ex-partner.

Ms Hamilton said Hedges was not aided in court by his lengthy criminal history.

She said early exposure to domestic violence and drugs may have reduced Hedges’ culpability, but “unfortunately makes offenders of this nature more violent”.

“He himself has become the abuser after being witness to it at a young age,” she told the court.

“He’s therefore more of a threat to the community.”

Hedges was jailed for 20 months with a 10-month non-parole period.

An AVO was put in place to protect the victim.

“I love you mum,” Hedges said as the case was finalised.