Woolgoolga man Sione Fangupo sentenced to jail for domestic violence

A young man with a Snapchat handle of ‘tongandoggie’ punched his victim in the face. See what the court decided after hearing he was held in high esteem by the community.

Young Woolgoolga man Sione Fangupo has been sent to jail for domestic violence.

The 25-year-old will be eligible for release on January 12, 2023.

Police facts tendered to court document a litany of threats and repeated contact with the victim via phone calls, texts and Snapchat messages.

The facts stated she felt ‘on edge and is having trouble sleeping due to the accused’s constant harassment’.

In a screenshot of one message sent via Snapchat from his account ‘tongandoggie’, Fangupo said ‘you’ve gotta drop the charge or try to do something … I’m going to jail because of you’.

Another message said ‘so yeah, I’m going away with the boys, you can go and get f***** you c***’.

Despite the victim taking out an apprehended domestic violence order against Fangupo on December 1, 2021, he continued to make contact with her and, according to police facts, she felt she had no other choice but to remain in contact with him.

Then on the evening of December 23, 2021 at Woolgoolga, he assaulted her – punching her in the side of the head.

Police facts also outlined an incident on New Year’s Eve when the victim booked a room at a holiday park at Fangupo’s request as he had promised to return her laptop if she spent the evening with him.

Fangupo pleaded not guilty to common assault and contravening a prohibition or restriction in an apprehended domestic violence order but was convicted after a hearing and was sentenced in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday, September 27.

Coffs Harbour courthouse.

Lawyer Jesse Sinclair had told the court Fangupo comes from a large family of eight brothers and sisters and is a “hard working man” employed in the demolition industry.

Mr Sinclair said the assault was “not sustained” and that he removed himself from the home after it happened and that his client is a young man who “still has his whole life ahead of him”.

He said Fangupo was held in high esteem in the Woolgoolga community and that, if released, the community would be able to assist him.

Fangupo, who had been remanded in custody since September 13, was given an eight-month prison sentence with four months non parole.

He will be eligible for release on January 12, 2023.